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DEUS LUX MEA, 



SOIvKlVENIXIKS 



OF THE 



DEDICATION AND OPENING 



CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA. 



November istin, 1889. 



OKKICIAI^ RBF'ORT. 



BALTIMOKE: 

JOHN MUEPHY & CO. 

1890. 

«-9 




LTir.A«T. 

•f Stats. 



INDEX. 

Page. 

Introduction, - - - -1 

I. The Dedication, 3 

The Pontifical Mass, 4 

Sermon of Rt. Rev. R. Gilmour, 6 

Sermon of Rev. Father Fidelis, 18 

II. The Banquet, 31 

III. Presentations and Addresses, 39 

The Bust of St. Thomas Aquinas, . - . . 39 

The Universities of Paris and Lyons, - - - - 43 

The French Cardinals and Bishops, ... - 50 

The Laval University, 51 

The University of Ottawa, - 51 

The University of Lou vain, 52 

The American College at Rome, 53 

St. Mary's, Oscott, 53 

St. Cuthbert's, Ushaw, 55 

St. Bede's College, Manchester, 56 

The Archbishops and Bishops of Great Britain and Ireland, 58 

IV. The Inauguration of the Courses, ... - 62 

Oration of Rt. Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, ... - 62 

Latin Oration of Mgr. Schroeder, . - - - 64 

Actual Opening of University Work, - - - - 75 

3 



4 

Page. 

V. Personnel of the University, .... 77 

The Board of Directors, 77 

OiScials and Professors, with the Courses taught this year, 78 

Lecturers, 79 

^ Professors Abroad, 81 

The Students, 81 

VI. Founders of Professorial Chairs, - - - - 84 

VII. Plans and Needs of the Immediate Future, - - 94 

The Library, 94 

The South Wing, 95 

The Next Faculty for the Laity, ' - - - 96 



THE 



INAUGURATION 



CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY 



AMERICA. 



THE first centenary of tlie Hierarchy in the United 
States was fittingly crowned by the inauguration of 
the Catholic University of America. Our Holy 
Father, Pope Leo XIII, in his Apostolic Letter of March 
7th, 1889, notes the relation between these two events. 
" In this matter," he says, " we deem most worthy of all 
praise your intention of inaugurating the University 
during the centenary of the establishment of the Ecclesi- 
astical Hierarchy in your country, as a monument and 
perpetual memorial of that most auspicious event." ^ The 

' " Qua in re omni laude dignissimum judicamus consilium vestrum, qui anno cen- 
tesimo ab ecclesiastica hierarchia istic constituta, monumentum ac memoriam 
perpetuam rei auspicatissimae, initiis Universitati positis, statuere decrevistis." — 
S. D. N. Leonis Papae XIII epistola de Magna Lycaeo CaihoUco Foederatorum Americae 
Septentrionalis Statuum, in Urbe Washington constiiuto. 

1 



happy coincidence thus alluded to by his Holiness was 
an incentive which powerfully spurred on the work of 
preparation and secured its accomplishment in due time. 
An army of workmen were engaged on the building up 
to the very eve of the dedication ; but when the eventful 
day dawned, all was in readiness, the structure was richly 
and tastefully decorated from ground-floor to roof, the 
chapel, with its thirteen altars, was exquisitely adorned, 
the Professors and most of the students were already 
lodged in their apartments, ready to receive and welcome 
the host of expected guests. 



I. 

THE DEDICATION. 



Wednesday, Nov. IStli, 1889, witnessed the dedication ■ 
of the University to Almighty God and the formal open- 
ing of its courses of instruction. A heavy rain fell 
during the whole forenoon ; but the multitudes in attend- 
ance still numbered thousands, and the solemnity\)f the 
occasion was scarcely, if at all, impaired. The grand 
assemblage of the Archbishops and Bishops of the United 
States, with their brethren from Canada, Mexico, and 
England, who had so splendidly celebrated the centenary 
in Baltimore, came by a special train to take part in the 
inauguration of the University. And with them were 
united Prelates, Vicars General, Superiors and Provin- 
cials of Religious Orders and Congregations, Heads of 
Universities, Seminaries and Colleges, Reverend Clergy, 
and Ecclesiastical Students, from every part of the 
country, to the number of at least six hundred. The 
laity in countless numbers flocked to the scene, and filled 
the building and the grounds throughout the day. 

Shortly after 10.30, the solemn strains of the Veni 
Creator Spiritus, chanted by a choir of two hundred and 
fifty seminarians from St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, 
and St. Charles' College, Maryland, with accompaniment 

3 



by the Marine Band, floated through the building and 
announced the opening of the ceremonies. At the close 
of the hymn, his Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, Chancellor 
of the University, attended by the usual ministers and 
acolytes, solemnly blessed and dedicated the Divinity 
Chapel, under the patronage and title of St. Paul, the 
Apostle of the Gentiles, who had been chosen, with the 
approbation of the Holy See, as the Patron of the Faculty 
of Divinity. The Psalms and Litany of this impressive 
ceremony were chanted by the same choir of ecclesias- 
tical students, the responses being sung by the imposing 
throng of dignitaries and clergy who filled every corner 
of the Chapel. The effect was majestic and thrilling in 
the extreme. 



THE PONTIFICAL MASS. 



As soon as the rite of dedication was finished, his 
Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, went to his throne on the 
Gospel side of the sanctuary, a similar throne on the 
Epistle side being occupied by his Eminence, Cardinal 
Taschereau, Archbishop of Quebec, and the solemn Mass 
of the Holy Ghost was begun. The celebrant of the 
Mass was the Most Rev. Monsignor Francesco Satolli, 
Archbishop of Lepanto, who had been sent by the Sover- 
eign Pontiff, to show by his presence at the centenary 
and the inauguration the deep and affectionate interest 
felt by the Holy Father in these two memorable events. 
It was well known that he had been selected for this 



high duty, not only on account of the special friendship 
deservedly entertained for him by the Holy Father, but 
also because of his being the living embodiment of those 
views and aspirations in regard to higher learning, which 
have given such special lustre to the pontificate of Leo 
XIII. IS'othing, therefore, could have been more appro- 
priate and impressive than the spectacle of such a man, 
the representative of the Vicar of Christ himself, sur- 
rounded by that imposing assemblage of the highest 
dignitaries of the Church in America, standing at the 
high altar of the newly dedicated chapel, to offer up 
the Divine Mysteries in supplication for the guidance 
of the Spirit of Truth upon all the future work oi the 
University. In this august function he was most appro- 
priately assisted by sacred ministers selected from among 
his former pupils at the American College in Rome, 
while the universally esteemed Rector of the College, 
Rt. Rev. Monsignor O'Connell, assisting at the right 
of Cardinal Gribbons, gave additional testimony to the 
bonds of sympathy and affection which unite these two 
homes of highest learning in effort for the welfare of 
their common country. 

The Faculty of the University occupied posts of honor 
immediately after those of the Archbishops and Bishops, 
while the students mingled with their brethren of the 
clergy who filled the corridors and halls, unable to 
obtain room within the limits of the chapel. A small 
number of the laity, founders of Chairs and other prin- 
cipal benefactors of the University, had seats reserved 
for them. The music of the Mass, which excited the 



6 



admiration of all present, was rendered by a select 
choir of male singers, under the direction of Rev. 
Joseph Grraf, the University choir-master. 

At the end of the Pontifical Mass, the Dedicatory 
Sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Cleve- 
land, as follows: 

SEEMON 

DELIVERED BY THE 

ET. EEY. E. GILMOUE, D. D., 

Bishop of Cleveland. 

When men erect buildings and establish institutions, 
the public has a right to know for what they are to 
be used. The widespread notice given the ceremony 
of to-day, and the earnestness of all connected with the 
work, show the deep interest taken by the public in 
this Catholic University ; nor without cause, for within 
this building principles are to be taught and minds 
formed in whose future American society is deeply in- 
terested. Knowledge and doctrine will therefore be the 
objective work of this institution. 

The quest for knowledge began with the human race, 
and the progress of arts and science is written on every 
page of history. The acquisitions of primeval man were 
carried into the ark, and afterwards gave direction to the 
daring that would build a tower whose ruins are the 
wonder of the modern archaeologist. In the hieroglyphics 
of Egypt is written the advance of science, and in the 
ruins of Thebes and Babylon the strength of thought. 



In the schools of Athens was found the polish of Greece, 
and in the wisdom of Cato the strength of Rome. Saul 
drank in knowledge in the schools of the prophets, whilst 
the poetry of David and the eloquence of Isaias teach us 
that others than Homer and Demosthenes were masters 
of speech. Solomon was taught of God, while Moses was 
instructed in all the knowledge of Egypt. The eloquence 
of Paul and the polish of John bespeak the literary cult- 
ure of the Jew, while Jerusalem, with its temple of un- 
paralleled beauty, tells the limit art and science had 
reached. Knowledge made Babylon strong, Greece cult- 
ured, and Rome mistress of the world. 

Civilization is limited only by education. Theipivili- 
zation of this nineteenth century is but the accumulated 
results of the world's history. The serpent tempted Eve 
with the offer of knowledge, and the limit was: "Ye 
shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." 

The appetite for knowledge is ceaseless, and its pos- 
session but increases its capacity for more. It is also a 
significant fact that from the beginning religion and edu- 
cation have been linked hand in hand. " Ye shall be as 
gods," says the serpent; " Find knowledge at the lips of 
the priest," say the Scriptures ; " Go teach," says Christ 
to His apostles. 

The motive that has brought here to-day the chief 
magistrate of this great republic, and these high digni- 
taries of church and state, and this distinguished audience 
of the laity, is worthy of deepest thought. Kind fi'iends ! 
you are not here to assist at the dedication of this fair 
building — classic in its lights and shades of art — to the 



8 

mere cultivation of the arts and sciences, valuable though 
they are. A higher motive has brought you here, and a 
higher motive prompted the first munificent gift and sub- 
sequent generosity that have rendered this institution 
possible. This building has just been blessed and for- 
ever dedicated to the cultivation of the science of sciences 
— the knowledge of God. It was well to have begun 
with the Divinity department, if for nothing else than to 
teach that all true education must begin in God and find 
its truth and direction in God. 

Education has for its motive the fitting and directing 
of man in his relations to God and society. Man is not 
for himself. He was created for a higher and a nobler 
purpose. All things, from the universe to the grain of 
sand on the sea shore, exist for the benefit of others. In 
God, creation was not necessary : however, God has 
created that He might bless, and creation is but the exten- 
sion of His first beneficence. "God is not for Himself; 
man is not for himself; society is not for itself; the state 
is not for itself ; the Church is not for itself. 

There are two orders of society, the spiritual and the 
temporal. They are both of God, and have their rights 
and duties for the weal of man. In much they are sepa- 
rate and independent; in much they are conjoint and 
correlative. Man is composed of body and soul, so 
society is composed of the moral and the physical. The 
function of the state is to deal with the physical ; the 
duty of religion is to deal with the moral. As in man 
the body is for the soul and the soul for the body, so in 
society religion is for the state and the state for religion. 



9 

Their conjoint work is for God and man. God is glorified 
in man, and man is made happy in God, and this con- 
joint work — the glory of God and happiness of man is 
the objective work of religion and state. In this is found 
the motive for their existence, the origin of their author- 
ity, and their right to man's obedience. They represent 
God, and each in its sphere is the expression of God to 
man. We obey the state because the state represents 
God in the temporal : "By me kings reign and princes 
have their power." We accept religion because religion 
represents God in the spiritual : " He that heareth you 
heareth Me." 

God leaves to society the right to determine its 4>rm of 
government and who shall be its rulers ; God leaves to 
the Church the determination and management of the 
human in her. In neither is God or God's law respon- 
sible for the human in them. In the human both depend 
on human prudence for their success. In the light of these 
principles the state is free to change its form of govern- 
ment, as is also religion free to change its policy in human 
affairs. But the state is not free to deny God or discard His 
law, nor is religion free to change what is divine. Both 
are from God and in the things of God are immutable. 

There is a widespread mistake, a rapidly growing po- 
litical and social heresy which assumes and asserts that 
the state is all temporal, and religion all spiritual. This 
is not only a doctrinal heresy, but if acted on would end 
in ruin to both spiritual and temporal. ]N"o more can the 
state exist without religion than can the body exist with- 
out the soul, and no more can religion exist without the 



10 

state and, on earth, carry on its work, than can the soul, 
on earth, without the body do its work. The state, it is 
true, is for the temporal, but has its substantial strength 
in the moral, while religion, it is true, is for the spiritual, 
but in much must find its working strength in the tem- 
poral. In this sense it is a mistake to assume that reli- 
gion is independent of the state, or the state independent 
of religion. As a matter of fact religion must depend 
upon the state in temporals, and vice versa the state must 
depend upon religion in morals, and both should so act 
that their conjoint work will be the temporal and moral 
welfare of society. 

The morality of the citizen is the real strength of the 
state, but the teaching of morality is the function of re- 
ligion and in so much is religion necessary to the state. 
In this sense it is foolish to assert that religion is inde- 
pendent of the state, or the state is independent of re- 
ligion, or that they can, or ought to be separated, one 
from the other. 

In this country we have agreed that religion and the 
state shall exist as distinct and separate departments, 
each with its separate rights and duties, but this does not 
mean that the state is independent of religion, or religion 
independent of the state. God is as necessary for the 
state as He is necessary for religion. No state can exist, 
or should exist, that does not recognize God as the su- 
preme authority. So far no state, Pagan or Christian, 
has attempted to rule without a god, false or true, but a 
god, and a god's law have been accepted in every society 
as the origin and basis of the state's authority. Woe be 



11 

to the state that denies God, or attempts to govern so- 
ciety without Grod and Grod's law. Brute force is tyranny ; 
moral force is reason. Man must be governed by reason, 
not by force, and the state will find its true strength in 
the morality of the citizen. Grod is the strength of the 
state, the guide of the citizen and the protection of society. 

In the past, states. Pagan or Christian, have been 
strong in proportion as their conception of Grod was strong, 
and in proportion to the vigor of their moral laws. Israel 
grew and prevailed in proportion as she kept God's law. 
Rome and Greece were strong because their conception 
of God was strong. Mohammedanism lives in its god 
rather than in its prophet, and Buddha and Br*hma 
hold their own against the world. In proportion as 
Christianity has been accepted have science and civiliza- 
tion progressed. God is the power in law, and law is the 
guide in morals, and morals are the strength of society. 
Hence religion must support the state and teach the citi- 
zen obedience to legitimate authority. '.' Thou shalt not 
kill," "thou shalt not steal," "thou shalt not commit 
adultery," are of more value to the state than all its 
armies or navies combined. 

American society has been strong because we are and 
have been a religious people. Our colonies were founded 
by men pre-eminently religious. Our laws and constitu- 
tions are the outgrowth of the Christian law. We are 
strong because our faith in God is strong, and we will live 
and strengthen in proportion as we are guided by His law. 

In the light of the above fundamental and all-import- 
ant truths it is not difficult to see how valuable Christian 



12 

education is to society. Education refines society, elevates 
man and directs all to the higher good. No nobler mis- 
sion than that of a teacher ; by office a leader, by talent 
an inventor, and by genius an originator and director of 
power. 

Grioja of Amalii, gave the mariner's compass ; Colum- 
bus, America ; Watt, the steam engine, and Morse the 
telegraph ; and these four men have revolutionized the 
material world. The single thought : " No man shall be 
oppressed for conscience sake," has given more peace and 
security to society than all the armies of the world ; and 
that other thought : "All men are created free and equal," 
has given a continent its political life. 

Now, in the light of these grave and fundamental 
truths the question naturally arises, " What are the end 
and scope of a university? " a question that will be ans- 
wered according as we understand the end and mission 
of the educator. 

Education is a- grave and serious matter. On its char- 
acter society rises or falls, advances or recedes. The true 
end of education is to elevate the human race, purify 
morals, and direct society to a higher perfection. Educa- 
tion must therefore embrace science and religion, the 
former to increase human happiness, the latter to direct 
man to his true end. Now the end of man is "to glorify 
Grod, and enjoy Him forever," or, in the language of phil- 
osophy, " to seek for the true and the good." 

Man was made for growth. Creation is progressive. 
Nothing stands still. All flows on, like the current of a 
deep and mighty river, bidding man look forward and 



13 

upward ; increasing knowledge, deepening thought, puri- 
fying morals, and directing all to Grod, the only good. 

The end, then, of a university is to gather within its 
halls the few who are brighter in intellect and keener in 
thought, and to expand and vivify within them knowl- 
edge ; then send them forth leaders to instruct and train 
the masses. Knowledge is not for its possessor, nor 
genius for the individual. Both are gifts from Grod to be 
used for the general good. 'No greater mistake than for 
the scholar or the school to assume that knowledge is for 
himself, or itself. The scholar belongs to neither race 
nor country. His home is the world, his pupil, man, and 
his reward, Grod. His mission is to know truth, and then 
fearlessly proclaim it. He is not to take from the masses 
nor swim with the current. Like the general of an army, 
he must strike home fearlessly where ignorance or evil 
exists, God has made him a leader, genius has gifted 
him with power, and he must not falter or fail in the high 
mission entrusted to him. 

The tendency of the age is to level down, to make 
smatterers instead of thinkers. Perhaps not since the 
days of Plato and Cicero has there been less depth of 
thought than at present. Education has increased in 
quantity, but lessened in quality. To teach our young to 
read and write, and fit our youth for the counting room 
is the limit of our common school. To teach men to 
think, or to direct men to God, is not in the curriculum 
of modern education. To break away from the past is 
the monomania of the day, and he who does that most 
recklessly is the Star in the East. Amid this general 



14 

leveling down and breaking away we have but faint 
echoes and fewer voices standing for the truth or giving 
sturdy blows to error. 

The value of a trained special education was markedly 
shown in our late desperate war. No braver men ever 
entered an army than our volunteer soldiers, and in the 
beginning it was difficult to say who was the better, the 
volunteer or the trained officer. But as the struggle went 
on the names of the soldiers educated in the science of 
war rose, and in their success showed clearly the value of 
the higher military training they had received. The 
same is seen in the medical and legal professions. And 
the same is pre-eminently seen in the clerical profession. 
As a rule men will not be scholars other than by labored 
study. Having widened the circle of popular education 
it becomes a necessity to increase the centers of higher 
education. We have Harvard and Yale in the non- 
Catholic world, Georgetown and Notre Dame in the 
Catholic world, all doing yeoman's duty in their line. 
But the centers for a higher education are entirely too 
few in the country. Much has been done, much is doing, 
but much remains to be done, to train the few to be 
leaders. 

The education of the masses has up to this formed 
amongst us the great task of church and state. With 
our independence came the readjustment of society in the 
light of our religious and civil liberty. Animosities had 
to be abated, new thoughts created, a wilderness cleared, 
and a home for the world provided. As Catholics, pov- 
erty and limited numbers left us crippled, and the ter- 



15 

rific struggle to provide lodging and religious attendance 
for the immigrant, estopped the possibility of higher 
education. Added to this was the organization of the 
public schools which Catholics could not in conscience 
use, thus imposing upon them the unjust burden of build- 
ing for themselves and supporting separate schools, 
whilst they are taxed for the public schools. Catholics 
have no contention with the public schools, because they 
are public schools, nor because they are state schools ; 
nor do Catholics seek to destroy the public schools. On 
the contrary, Catholics are willing to accept the public 
schools in America as they have done in Europe and 
elsewhere, on condition that an arrangement be mad£ by 
which the child shall be taught religion and the laws of 
morality. 

Our 650 colleges and academies, 3,100 parish schools, 
27 seminaries for the training of the clergy, and two uni- 
versities, are a glorious galaxy amid which to plant this 
Catholic University ; perhaps the first great university of 
the world begun without state or princely aid, but origi- 
nating in the outpouring of Catholic thought, and founded 
and provided for by the gifts of the many as well as by 
the oiferings of the few. It bespeaks the widening char- 
acter of American thought and the existing conviction of 
the public mind that a line of higher studies is clearly, 
needed. 

In the school and college the many are to be taught, 
but in the university the few. Here statesmen and 
churchmen are to be prepared and through them the 
masses moulded and society guided. It was therefore 



16 

wise that this University should begin with the Divinity 
department, thus teaching that the true beginning of all 
things is God; that on Him depend life, liberty, and 
happiness, and without Him there can be no permanent 
success in church or state. G-od is the basis of society ; 
Grod is essential to success. 

As a people we have undertaken the great and wise 
task of educating the masses and as far as in us lies, pro- 
viding that no child within this land shall fail to know 
how to read and write. So far, so good, and for the aver- 
age man and woman this is enough. But society needs 
more than this. Society needs leaders, educated men and 
women. This our common school does not give, cannot 
give, and never was intended, or should be intended to 
give. Scholars are made in colleges and universities. 
JN'ow, I hold, no money expended by church or state is of 
greater value to society than that expended in founding 
and maintaining colleges and universities and providing 
a higher education for the talented of all classes. The 
trend of the day is to the accumulation of wealth. A 
much more .healthy trend will be, to train minds, and 
create thinkers, who will be as a breakwater against the 
domination of wealth. This is needed to stay in measure 
the licentiousness of our times, and the radicalism with 
which society is threatened. Knowledge is better than 
wealth, and intelligence is the only true source of power. 
Enlightened by human knowledge and guided by divine 
law, man is impregnable and society safe. 

In the curriculum of this Catholic University the best 
in each of the several branches will be adopted, and in 



17 

the light of European and American experience improved 
upon. In the Divinity Class a broad and suggestive 
course will be given, including the best in past and pre- 
sent. In this line science and revelation will be har- 
monized, doubt dispelled and truth vindicated. In the 
department of philosophy the statesman will find the 
principles of government, and in history the causes for 
success and the reasons for failure. In law the good of 
the past will be retained and its imperfections rejected. 
In this an effort should be made to lay aside the useless 
and the obsolete. The world changes and has changed ; 
so should law change to suit the changed condition of 
times and places. This is especially needed in ecclesias- 
tical law. 

In this light specialists will come to this university, 
one to study Divinity, another Scripture, or History, while 
others will take up Law and Medicine. Here the philolo- 
gist and scientist will find the best, and all will find their 
noblest aspirations enlarged and spurred on to the full. 

Make these higher studies popular. Let generosity 
mark the spirit of this house of learning. Let its halls 
be filled with the best of our youth, and let every effort 
be made to place this University in the front ranks of 
modern institutions of learning. But above all, let no 
narrowness seek to make this the only Catholic Univer- 
sity in this country. We have broad lands and eager 
hearts elsewhere, who in time will need new centers. Let 
the great ambition of this University be to lead in all 
that tends to elevate our race, benefit our fellow-citizens, 
and bless our country. 



18 

Revelation is Grod's best gift to man. The mission ol 
this University is to take up all that is good in human 
knowledge, purify it in the alembic of Grod's revelation, 
and give it back to man blessed in the light of Grod's 
truth, increased in volume and intensified in force, thus 
giving science its direction and revelation its complement. 

While, the distinguished audience in the chapel were 
listening to the discourse of the Bishop of Cleveland, 
an eager multitude of clergy and laity filled the lecture- 
hall and the adjacent corridor, to hear the renowned 
Passionist, Father Fidelis, long known and admired as 
the Rev. James Kent Stone. His sermon was as 
follows : 

THE VITALITY OF THE CHURCH A 
MANIFESTATION OF GOD. 



DISCOURSE DELIVERED 



By REV. FATHER FIDELIS, C. P. 

" Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for 
Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake ; lest the Gentiles should say : Where 
is their God ? " (Ps. cxiii, 9, 10.) 

Ml/ Christian Friends and Fellow- Countrymen : — 

This is a day for us, not so much of effort in the initi- 
ation of a great work, but rather of wonder and thanks- 
giving, whilst we contemplate the things which the 
Omnipotent God has done for us and among us. It is 



19 

ours to gaze upon the evolution of Grod's plan, becoming 
intelligible before our eyes. It is ours to stand still a 
moment, to stand like the rescued people of old, and 
behold what God hath wrought. We have been brought 
out of a land of bondage. Our fathers passed over the 
Red Sea of obstruction which girdled them round as with 
despair. They were led through the weary wilderness of 
trial and patient waiting. And now we, their children, 
have come into a goodly land, into this land of promise, 
into a plenteous inheritance. Here may we sit at ease, 
each under his vine and fig tree, with none to make us 
afraid, whilst roundabout on every side the old walled 
cities of antique prejudice are silently crumbling, as at 
the touch of an unseen hand. Well may we raise our 
hearts to-day in solemn rejoicing, and break into the oft- 
sung words of the psalm of deliverance : " When Israel 
came out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a barbarous 
people, Judea was made His sanctuary, Israel His 
dominion. The sea saw and fled, Jordan was driven 
back. At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, 
at the presence of the Grod of Jacob, who turned the rock 
into pools of water and the stony hill into fountains of 
water. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy 
name give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's 
sake." 

I shall not attempt, my friends, on this occasion any 
formal or academic discourse fit for the opening of a new 
university. I leave this task for those to whom it rightly 
belongs and to those who speak with authority. We 
stand only on the skirts of the assembly which has gath- 



20 

ered together to honor this festal day. I address you, 
therefore, as one of yourselves, as one of the multitude, 
whilst I ask you to follow me in a few reflections which 
will be but the carrying out of the idea already touched 
on in your hearing, as seeming to be the natural and 
irrepressible keynote of this harmonious celebration. I 
offer you this thought, that the vitality of the Catholic 
Church is a manifestation of (xod ; that the spectacle of 
the Church's life and work, her majestic development, 
carries with it the conviction that the Almighty is opera- 
ting by her and in her, and that the finger of G-od is here. 
I shall not endeavor to prove this as a proposition, but 
rather to bring it home to you as a fact. Scholastic dis- 
sertation on such a subject would be not merely out of 
place, it would be to fall below the level of our theme, 
and to treat as a dead theorem what we would rather 
gaze at as a living reality. We are not discussing a 
doctrine ; we are contemplating a great, a divine exhibi- 
tion ; it is there, before us ; if we will but open the eyes 
of our mind to behold it, we can catch its outlines loom- 
ing out on the slow-moving canvas of time. And it will 
be mine to-day simply to point you to the picture, and 
then to leave you to your own meditations. 

My friends, the only hope for humanity is that there 
is somewhere a revelation, a manifestation of Grod in time, 
a coming in of the Infinite into this world of ours. The 
woes of our race are too real, too deep, too inveterate to 
be healed by any but a Divine touch. And yet the world 
goes on, blindly seeking some outlet from its misery 
where, alas! there is none; it dreams fever-dreams of 



21 

happiness, and starts up to find its condition more hope- 
less than before. Century after century passes, and still 
the "hungry generations" push each other on, and the 
cry of desperation grows wilder as civilization becomes 
more elaborate. You believe in a Grod, do you not ? (I 
speak to those here present who may not be Catholics.) 
Yes, I know you do, though sometimes you may have 
been tempted to doubt Him. Better an infinite personal 
Spirit, directing all things in spite of apparent contradic- 
tion and imperfection, than a blind impersonal force, whirl- 
ing us onward, we know not whither. Materialism is too de- 
grading a doctrine to be held by men conscious of the dig- 
nity of their own spiritual powers ; it could find an advocacy 
only in those baser passions of our nature which would rise 
up to dethrone spirit, and with it truth and right and moral 
responsibility. Yes, you believe in God, you believe in 
Him rather than know Him ; and this belief has been to 
you a solace in the midst of much that is dark and per- 
plexing. It has gone before you, like the pillar of fire 
and cloud, of fire by night and cloud by day, brighter, 
more distinct, in the darkness of silence and sorrow that 
shuts out the landscape of this world, yet still there amid 
the activity of daily life, an obscure majestic column, 
pointing towards heaven. But if you believe in God, 
you cannot doubt that He has given us a Revelation, 
aye, and more than a Revelation, that He has come to 
the rescue of His creatures, and supplied them with a 
remedy for their ills. Being such as we are, to hold 
that God made us and then abandoned us would be to 
increase a hundredfold the intellectual misery of our situ- 



22 

ation. Plato's " great hope " that a Grod would come and 
give us " some surer word " than that of human specula- 
tion is only the lofty expression of that mute instinct 
wherewith the whole human race looks upward with 
agonizing desire for help and for redemption. And help 
has come, in the fulness of time it came. Dear friends, 
there is but one institution which can be this manifesta- 
tion of God in time. If the revelation has not been made 
already, it will never be made at all. After all these 
ages of human development, it is useless to expect any 
other. The heavens will not open again. The race of 
man has lived on too long, is too far advanced in its 
manhood and in its sufferings to look for a redeemer yet 
to come. And there is only one institution which claims, 
absolutely, unflinchingly, and to the uttermost, to be the 
solution of the difficulties that encompass our existence. 
Either the Catholic Church is Grod's agency set in opera- 
tion and maintained by Him for the salvation of man- 
kind, or else there is no hope from Grod — nothing but 
confusion, and struggle, and blind alarm, and ultimate 
despair. 

Thinking men are everywhere seeing this, this solemn 
alternative ; and nowhere are they seeing it more clearly 
than in this great country of ours, where, by the sweep- 
ing away of old forms of thought, intellectual activity 
has been stimulated into a boldness and accuracy hitherto 
unknown among the multitude. Nevertheless, there 
are, unfortunately, many whom this alternative is driv- 
ing off into the blankness of negation, into the darkness 
and the cold. And why ? Simply because they started 



23 

in life with a presumption which rules out the claims of 
the Catholic Church, a presumption instilled into them 
insensibly from the first opening of their reason— namely, 
that the old Church has been tried and found wanting ; 
that she was cited at the bar of history and human 
experience and condemned centuries ago. Of Protes- 
tantism as such I cannot stop to speak. It has had 
its day and is passing, as all human systems of phi- 
losophy or religion must surely pass. It was an 
illogical effort of the human mind to put itself in pos- 
session of revelation without the aid of any authority, 
and all such fallacies are exposed in the end b^'' the in- 
exorable logic of time. But these clear-headed men of 
whom I speak, though not Protestants themselves, are the 
descendants of Protestants, and they are suffering from 
the mistakes of their forefathers ; they have inherited 
what has been well called the Protestant tradition. And 
they form a large portion, and, let me most willingly say 
it, some of the best material of this our Republic. To 
such as these, as well as to my Catholic brethren, I would 
address myself. 

We often say that we are passing through a period of 
crisis, and that great events are hastening to their solu- 
tion. The truth is, the world is always in a period of 
transition and always on the brink of something new. 
Nevertheless we may safely say it, the present age is one 
of unusual and momentous hesitation. Old things have 
passed away — what shall be the resultant of the new 
forces which have already gone into operation ? Whether 
to be or not to be Christian, this is the question which is 



24 

confronting our modern society; this is the problem 
which is being silently worked out in many minds, which 
looms up behind all political quarrels and lies deeper 
than all social questions or the disputes of capital and 
labor. Whether to go off into final apostacy, or to cling 
still to the shreds of hope which flutter towards us from 
the torn garment of the past. Oh ! the choice is a cruel 
one ! and, I believe it, there are many who, not with in- 
ward satisfaction but rather with dire anguish, find them- 
selves forced by stress of reason into the abandonment of 
a creed which once was dear and still seems beautiful. 

0, my brethren, look well to it, for the question, the 
choice is not such as you have supposed. To break 
utterly with the past, and cast it from us as a thing out- 
worn, is folly, is madness. This is not the true philosophy 
of evolution. Real development implies continuity. And 
genuine progress, however swift its march, is not a cut- 
ting loose from the past nor a plunging into the darkness. 
We believe in an evolution more certain and a develop- 
ment more glorious than any which your modern scien- 
tists have dreamed of, because we believe that God is 
infinite activity and that the working out of His plans 
will bring order out of chaos and lead from darkness into 
marvellous light. 

The problem of the present age is to find some system 
of thought and action which shall combine perfect sta- 
bility with limitless progress ; and this system is found 
and can be found only in the Catholic Church. She lays 
her hand upon the past, with all its treasures of experi- 
ence, and all that is good in it is hers ; she goes forward 



25 

to meet the future without fear and with unalterable mien, 
for it also, with all its untold possibilities, shall be hers, 
to conquer, to inherit and to possess. And she is all this, 
and can do all this, because she comes from Grod and 
because the Divine Wisdom, which "reaches from end 
to end, directing all things strongly and sweetly," is with 
her and dwells within her forever. She, the Catholic 
Church, is the one thing in this world possessed of beauty 
" ever ancient and ever new ; " she is the prudent house- 
holder of the Grospel who bringeth from her treasury 
" things new and old ; " she is the bride of the Canticle 
who sings to her Spouse : " The new and the old, my 
Beloved, I have kept for Thee ; " she is the holy city, the 
new Jerusalem, " coming down from God out of heaven, 
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband," and of 
her is heard the great voice from the throne, saying : 
" Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and He will 
dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God 
Himself with them shall be their God. And He who 
sat on the throne said : Behold I make all things new." 
loveliest vision ! fairest promise ! sweetest word 
of God, calling us away from our dull despondency, and 
bidding us look forward into the freshness of the morn- 
ing, to the day- dawn of that future when our utmost 
craving for all that is new and beautiful in the perfection 
of our race shall be wholly realized ! 

Lift up your eyeB, and look round about, and tell me, 
my friends, whether you can discern now in this Western 
World of ours the working of that vitality, that young 
life constantly renewed, of which I have been speaking. 



26 

" Behold I make all things new " — ^this is the order of 
the Divine operation. The old order changes, and yet 
G-od Himself changes not. So it is with His Church. 
Her touch transforms, her spirit renews the face of the 
earth ; but she herself remains the same. She is always 
the same in her character, her mission, her doctrines, her 
government ; for these are all of God. But in her dress, 
her step and carriage, her mode of dealing with races and 
nations, she may vary, for in these things she is capable 
of an infinite adaptability. 

She proves all things, and holds fast only that which is 
good; she shakes loose and casts from her that which 
time has shown to be outworn and worthless ; she per- 
petually disencumbers herself, and clad in Divine panoply 
stands forth for combat or for suffering. She has waited 
in the wilderness, and crouched in the Catacombs ; and 
from her throne of honor she has ruled the world with 
more than regal sway ; she met the barbarian and curbed 
his rage ; she organized a new civilization on the wide 
ruin of the old ; she cleared the forest, and drained the 
marsh, and built the town ; she covered Europe with her 
cathedrals and her colleges ; she was the foster-mother of 
learning and the patroness of art ; and all the while she 
forgot not that which was ready to perish, but in meek- 
ness and voluntary poverty she went her ceaseless rounds 
of mercy ; she entered the hovel, the dungeon, the slave- 
mart; she ventured forth, patient and alone, into the 
desert and the jungle, through cold and heat, through fire 
and martyrdom, pursuing the lost ones of our race even 
to the uttermost ends of the earth. All this she has done 



27 

in the past, and much more. And now she is here in the 
midst of us. For a hundred years she has been here, and 
she is at home in this land. Look upon her, I say, and 
tell me, what think you of Christ's Church? Whose 
Spouse is she? Is her form bent and her forehead 
wrinkled ? Are her sandals worn, or her garments moth- 
eaten ? Is her gait halting and feeble, and does she walk 
with trembling steps? Think you, forsooth, that she is 
afraid to trust herself to our new civilization ? that she 
clings reluctant to the mouldering fashions of an age that 
has passed ? Oh, see ! her face is radiant and her brow 
erect and starlit, and on her lip is the smile of peace ; 
her robes are beautiful with variety and fragrant as^ith 
spices ; and the step with which she advances is elastic 
with triumph. Vera incessu patiiit dea. Her move- 
ment betrays her divinity. She is the Daughter of the 
King. 

The work which the Catholic Church has accomplished 
in this country during the century which we are here 
bringing to a close is the same which she has done in 
other ages and in other lands, but she has done it in a new 
way, and in her own way. She has taken hold of new 
conditions of things and adapted herself to them ; and 
the result of her work is a structure distinctive and typi- 
cal of the age and country in which we live, and differing 
from anything that has preceded it, as truly as the Church 
of the Middle Ages differed from the Church of the Fa- 
thers. And mind you — for this is the point of all my dis- 
course — she has done this, not by any prudence of human 
forethought, not by any cunning adaptation of policy, but 



28 

simply because she is a living force, capable of acting in 
all time and in all places, so that she has become Ameri- 
can without ceasing for an instant to be Catholic ; and, 
on the other' hand, in endowing us with all that is truly 
hers, she has not thwarted or crippled, but rather appro- 
priated and vivified all that is best and noblest in our 
national character. 

Therefore, in inaugurating to-day the work of this 
American Catholic University, we feel that we are the 
privileged agents of God in carrying on the operations 
of His Holy Church. If you have read history, however 
slightly, you know, my friends, that the great univer- 
sities of Christendom were Catholic in their origin. 
Long before the outbreak of the sixteenth century, the 
old cathedral and monastic schools had developed into 
seats of learning, which dotted every land, until the 
youth of Europe grew into an army of scholastic enthu- 
siasts. Well, therefore, may we feel that in what we 
behold accomplished this day, there is nothing forced, or 
rash, or immature. Surely the time had come for such 
a work, and surely it was fitting that the Church in 
America should crown her first century of progress by 
calling into existence an institution which vindicates 
once more her claim to an undying vitality. The days 
of darkness are over; the long winter of poverty and 
struggle is ended. A brighter era has dawned at last. 
"Arise, shine, Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and 
the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee I " 

And now, my friends, before we part, suffer me to 
bring home to your minds the subject we have been 



29 

treating, and to do so in as brief and earnest a manner 
as I can. I admit fully that the Church makes no claim 
upon your faith which can compel your assent. It is 
quite possible to doubt her, to reject her. But are you 
justified in rejecting her? Are not the proofs of her 
claim sufficient? See, my friend, you believe in God; 
but God does not compel your belief. He leaves you 
free to deny Him. He does not dazzle and confound 
your intelligence by a full manifestation of His glory. 
He veils Himself, leaving you proof enough for cer- 
tainty, while the very obscurity wherewith He shrouds 
Himself makes of your faith a virtue. Now I say that 
as surely as there is a God in heaven, just so surel]^the 
Catholic Church is His representative on earth. The 
evidence in the one case is as abundant, as convincing 
as in the other. And the proof in either case is not 
direct; it is cumulative, and let me also add, is over- 
whelming. 

Jesus Christ has said: "Will ye also go away?" 
And again : " Blessed is he whosoever shall not be 
scandalized in Me." Wherein lies the secret of this 
scandal, this offence? It lies in that very self-same 
thing which is the secret of the Church's life and power. 
I say it, my friends, with solemn emphasis, the scandal 
which turns so many backward is the offence of the- 
Cross. And it is the Cross of Christ, the preaching of 
the Cross, the imitation of the Passion, the life of sacri- 
fice, the principle of heroism, which is not merely the 
Church's inheritance, but which gives her her glorious 
inspiration and constitutes her undying force. Outside 



30 

of the Catholic Church the doctrine of the Cross has 
faded into a vague tradition. There are many who pro- 
fess to believe in the Son of God, but the mystery of His 
Cross and Passion has become for them a sentimental 
abstraction or a cold philosophy. Oh that those whose 
hearts can still be stirred by the contemplation of the 
most wondrous tragedy the world has ever witnessed 
might come to learn that there exists on earth a king- 
dom of souls in which Jesus Christ is loved, and 
worshipped, and imitated with a passionate devotion 
unknown to them in their forlorn isolation ! The life 
of Christ is the life of His Church, but it is a life pur- 
chased by suffering and death. He is risen, and is with 
her still ; and as He died and rose again, so she dies 
with Him continually, and rises into a life new and 
immortal. See! in this nineteenth century she has risen 
again before your very eyes ! Death hath no more 
dominion over her. 



II. 

THE BANQUET. 



The morning solemnities ended shortly after one 
o'clock. All were then invited to partake of the re- 
freshments abundantly provided for them. In the 
Banquet Hall, beneath the Chapel, dinner was served 
for two hundred and fifty guests, while, in the Refec- 
tory, company after company, to the number of aoout 
fourteen hundred, found hearty welcome and plenteous 
entertainment. This was all that was physically possi- 
ble, and showed at least the desire of the University 
to provide without stint for the comfort of its honored 
visitors. 

The principal feature in the adornment of the Ban- 
quet Hall were large ornamental shields bearing the 
names of the chief universities of the world, with 
their motto and the date of their institution. The flags 
of the various countries in which the universities are 
located festooned the walls and ceiling. Life-sized 
portraits of Cardinals Gibbons, McCloskey, Manning, 
JSTewman and Wiseman, and Father Faber, looked down 
upon the scene, a likeness of our Holy Father the Pope 
presiding over all. With the Cardinals, Archbishops, 
Bishops, Prelates, Yicars General, heads of Religious 

31 



32 

Orders and presidents of educational institutions, were 
mingled distinguished representatives of the civil gov- 
ernment and the chief benefactors of the University. 
As at the laying of the corner-stone, so also on this 
memorable occasion, the President and Yice-President 
of the United States, together with several members of 
the Cabinet, showed by their presence the deep interest 
felt in the new institution by the whole people of our 
country. Some distinguished representatives of the 
South American States, then in Washington for the 
Pan-American Congress, were also present to show 
the sympathy of their countries in the great under- 
taking. 

Towards the close of the dinner, the toasts were pro- 
posed. The first of these was " Our Holy Father, 
Pope Leo XIII." It was responded to by the Holy 
Father's representative, the Most Rev. Monsignor 
Satolli. With the Ciceronian eloquence for which he 
is so renowned, he discoursed in Latin of classical 
beauty on the paternal love of our great Pope for 
America and her free institutions, and on the special 
interest and the heartfelt joy, with which he regarded 
the inauguration of this home of highest learning in 
the midst of our western Republic. He showed how, 
in all ages, the highest advances of Christian civiliza- 
tion have been marked by the glories of the great 
universities. And in order that the civilization of our 
country, by being truly Christian, might be truly salu- 
tary to herself and to the nations of the earth, on whom 
she exercises so great an influence, it was, he said, the 



33 

wish and the prayer of our Holy Father that the union 
of the highest sacred learning with the fullest natural 
science, of which this institution was meant to be the 
embodiment, should be a beacon-light to point out to 
our country the safe paths, should be a leaven of truth 
and grace to the minds and hearts of all our people. 

His eloquent utterances, so full of love for learning 
and love for religion, of devotedness to the Holy Father 
and admiration for America, to whom, as he said, 
the Pope believed that all things were possible, were 
received by the distinguished audience with enthusiastic 
applause. 

Just as Monsignor Satolli was concluding, a cable^Tam 
was received from the Rev. Dr. Farrelly of the American 
College in Rome, announcing that the Holy Father sent 
his congratulations and special benediction. Nothing 
could have been more opportune than this delightful 
incident. It is needless to say that this fresh testimony 
of the Holy Father's interest and affection was welcomed 
with unbounded enthusiasm. 

To the second toast, " Our Country and her Presi- 
dent," a graceful reply was made by the Hon. James Gr. 
Blaine, Secretary of State. He dwelt upon the imparti- 
ality of the American government in dealing with all 
forms of religion, fully securing the rights and liberties 
of each by the guarantees surrounding the rights and 
liberties of all. He spoke of America's reverence for 
learning and for religion, both necessary conditions for 
her sure and safe progress, and was glad to pay honor to 
an institution aiming at the cultivation of both. 



34 

At this juncture, President Harrison himself entered, 
the band playing " Hail to the Chief," and was received 
with great applause, which he acknowledged in a few 
pleasant words of thanks. 

The third toast was, " Our Sister Universities." It 
was most fittingly responded to by the Cardinal Arch- 
bishop of Quebec, formerly Rector and now Chancellor 
of the Laval University, and the only surviving signer 
of its act of incorporation. Speaking in French, for the 
sake of greater fluency, he dwelt with becoming pride on 
the deep interest which the Catholics of Canada had 
always manifested in the cause of Christian education, 
and the noble work they had accomplished for its exten- 
sion and improvement. He noted the elevating influence 
exercised upon the whole educational system by a great 
central institution like Laval. He alluded in friendly 
tones to the ofi'shoots of the old Alma Mater now appear- 
ing in Montreal and Ottawa. He spoke of the interest 
with which Canada had regarded the institutions of higher 
learning hitherto founded in the United States, of which 
respectful and aff'ectionate mention had been made in in- 
troducing the toast ; and he augured fullest success and 
glory for this new and crowning work of the system of 
Christian education in our country. 

In responding to the next toast : " The Hierarchy of 
THE United States," the Cardinal Archbishop of Balti- 
more, after thanking the President of the United States, 
the Vice-President and the members of the Cabinet, for 
their distinguished presence, said : " It is a subject of 
profound satisfaction and of deep significance to witness 



35 

so many of the xlmerican Episcopate present on this 
festive occasion. They hare come from nearly every 
State and Territory of the Union ; from the shores of the 
Atlantic and the Pacific, and from the banks of the St. 
Lawrence and the Mississippi. 

They have come, not in compliance with any law or 
obligation, but in obedience to the promptings of their 
own generous hearts. And by assisting to-day at these 
dedicatory exercises, they eloquently proclaim their warm 
interest in this gTeat seat of learning, arid they emphasize 
the fact that this Institution is not a work of merely local 
significance, but is invested with national importance. 
And by participating in these festivities at great incon- 
venience to themselves, they emphasize another fact, — 
that, as the Catholic University of America had its origin 
in the deliberations of the Bishops in Council assembled, 
so are the Bishops prepared to stand its sponsors, and for 
all time to come it is to be under the fatherly control and 
supervision of the American Episcopate. 

When I speak of the Hierarchy, I desire of course to 
associate with them the Clergy, without whose aid the 
Bishops would be practically powerless, and by whose 
generous cooperation the success of this great undertaking- 
will be assured. 

When I contemplate these stately buildings, and the 
sacred purposes to which they are consecrated ; when I 
look around me and behold this large and enthusiastic 
assemblage, the earnest and the fii'st-fL'uits of the students 
who are to follow, the sublime words of the Prophet 
Isaias come to my mind, and I reverently and confidently 



36 

accept them as a prophecy for us : " Arise, be enlightened, 
Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the 
Lord is risen upon thee ; the Gentiles shall walk in thy 
light, and Kings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up 
thy eyes round about and see. All these are gathered 
together. They are come to thee. Tliy sons shall come 
from afar J ^ Yes, the sons of the sovereign people shall 
come hither, to receive intellectual light and strength and 
that wisdom which is born of Grod ; and they will go 
forth from these walls to enlighten their country by 
their knowledge, to enrich it by their wisdom, to edify 
it by their example, and if needs be, to defend it by 
their valor." 

His Eminence then called upon the Most Rev. P. J. 
E-yan, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who, in an address 
sparkling with wit and eloquence, sketched the character- 
istics of the leaders of the Hierarchy there present, to 
the great enjoyment of all the company. 

The final toast was : " The Press, the great co- 
educator OF the world." Mr. John Boyle O'Reilly, 
editor of the Boston Pilot, gracefully responded in the 
following poem : 

FROM THE HEIGHTS. 



" Come to me for wisdom," said the mountain ; 
" In the valley and the plain 

There is knowledge dimmed with sorrow in the gain ; 

There is Effort, with its hope like a fountain ; 

There, the chainM rebel. Passion, 

Laboring Strength and fleeting Fashion ; 



37 

There, Ambition's leaping flame, 
And the iris-crown of Fame. 
But those gains are dear forever 
Won from loss and pain and fever. 
Nature's gospel never changes ; 
Every sudden force deranges ; 
Blind endeavor is not wise : 
Wisdom enters through the eyes ; 
And the seer is the knower, 
Is the doer and the sower. 

" Come to me for riches," said the peak ; 
" I am leafless, cold and calm ; 

But the treasures of the lily and the palm — 

They are mine to bestow on those who seek. 

I am gift and I am giver 

To the verdured fields below, 

As the motherhood of snow 

Daily gives the new-born river. 

As a watcher on a tower, 

Listening to the evening hour, 

Sees the roads diverge and blend, 

Sees the wandering currents end 

Where the moveless waters shine 

On the far horizon line — 

All the storied Past is mine ; 

All its strange beliefs still clinging ; 

All its singers and their singing ; 

All the paths that led astray. 

All the meteors once called day ; 

All the stars that rose to shine — 

Come to me — for all are mine ! 



38 



" Come to me for safety," said the height ; 

" In the future as the past, 
Road and river end at last 
In the bosom of the ever-waiting sea. 
Who shall know by lessened sight 
Where the gain and where the loss 
In the desert they must cross ? 
Guides who lead their charge from ills, 
Passing soon from town to town. 
Through the forest and the down. 
Take direction from the hills ; 
Those who range a wider land 
Higher climb until they stand 
Where the past and future swing 
Round them like an ocean-ring ; 
Those who sail from land afar 
Leap from mountain-top to star. 
Higher still, from star to God, 
Have the spirit-pilots trod. 
Setting lights for mind and soul 
That the ships may reach their goal. 

" They shall safely steer who see : 
Sight is wisdom. Come to me ! " 



m. 

THE PRESENTATIONS. 



From the Banquet Hall the company repaired to the 
parlors, for the next part of the day's programme ; and 
in an instant, the large parlor, the smaller reception 
rooms, and the spacious hallway between them, were 
filled with a multitude eager to witness the presdlita- 
tion of the bust of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the addresses 
from the great educational centres abroad. 



PRESENTATION OF THE BUST OF ST. THOMAS. 



The immediate object of general interest was the 
splendid bust of the Angelic Doctor, looking down 
with serene majesty on the group which instinctively 
gathered around it. The Catholics of Great Britain 
and Ireland, residing in Rome, anxious to manifest, 
their interest in a work which had grown familiar to 
every English-speaking Catholic in the Eternal City, 
had rightly judged that the most appropriate and wel- 
come testimonial that they could offer would be a marble 
bust of the Angel of the Schools. The well-known effigy 

39 



40 

of the Saint, on the Pincian Hill, was at first considered 
the best model to reproduce. But Guglielmi, the cele- 
brated Roman sculptor, to whom they entrusted the task, 
decided that something better still could be produced. 
For that purpose he studied the portraits of St. Thomas, 
in various parts of Italy, which were considered the most 
authentic; and the result is this superb work, which 
may well be considered the best likeness of the Angelic 
Doctor in existence. On the marble pedestal is the 
following inscription, by the renowned Roman Latinist, 
Father Angelini, S. J. : 

LYCEO . MAGNO 
WASHINGTONII 
IN • EEGIONIBUS • FOEDERATIS 
AMERICAE • BOREALIS 



AUSPICIIS . LEONIS • XIII • P • M 
CONSTITUTO 
THOMAE • AQUINATIS 

STUDIOEUM 

DUCIS . ET . MAGISTRI 

SIGNUM 

GRATULATIONIS » ET • AMORIS 

PIGNUS 

BONO . DANT 

ANGLI • SCOTI . HIBERNI 

ROMAM . INCOLENTES 



A • MDCCCLXXXIX 



ANTONIUS ANGELINIU8 
E SOCIETATE JESU 



41 

The Rt. Kev. John Virtue, Bishop of Portsmouth, and 
the Very Rev. Monsignor C. J. Gadd, of the Diocese of 
Salford, in the name of the donors, made the presentation. 
Monsignor Gadd read the following address, a beauti- 
fully illuminated copy of which he handed to the Rector. 

To THE Right Reverend Bishop Keane, Rector of 
THE Catholic University of Washington. 

My Lord, Bislio'p : — 

In presenting, on behalf of the Catholics of Great 
Britain and Ireland in Rome, this marble Bust of Saint 
Thomas Aquinas to the Catholic University of Washing- 
ton, through your Lordship, its first Rector, we, the 
members of the Presentation Committee, desire to ex- 
press the deep interest which we feel in your great under- 
taking, and our most ardent wishes for its success. 

The privileges granted to the new University by the 
Holy See are a fresh proof of the paternal charity and 
wisdom of the Sovereign Pontiffs, who, in desiring the 
conversion of all men to the true Faith, have endeavored 
also to provide them with a solid and enlightened education 
— an education including all the cultivation of which the 
human mind is capable, in philosophy, theology, science, 
literature, and art. Such was the education introduced 
into England by Saint Gregory the Great, who sent Saint 
Augustine to preach the Gospel to the English people ; it 
had been introduced 170 years before among the Irish and 
Scotch, by Saint Celestine ; and the same stream of Chris- 
tian learning, ever flowing from its infallible source, has 



42 

continued to this day, and has now brought to the United 
States of America the Catholic University of Washington, 
which is destined to fill a great place in the history of the 
English-speaking races throughout the world. 

But, besides the expression of our deep interest and 
ardent wishes, we desire by this presentation to draw 
closer, under the glorious patronage of the Angelic 
Doctor Saint Thomas, the links which already bind us 
together, so that we, who are members of the same 
Christian family, and of kindred blood, may become more 
and more united in faith, hope, and charity. 

With this pledge of our brotherly love, we offer to your 
Lordship our heartfelt congratulations on the Centenary 
of the Foundation of your noble Episcopate, which, 
springing from a single See, overshadows at this day with 
its Pastoral care your vast Commonwealth. 

The sentiments which we have briefly expressed are, 
we do not doubt, abundantly shared by your Lordship ; 
and we feel sure that, in accepting our humble offering, 
your Lordship and the University will look less to its 
intrinsic value than to the spirit of Catholic unity of 
which it is a proof. 

We are, my Lord Bishop, 

With profound respect. 
Your Lordship's faithful and devoted servants, 

© Tobias Kirbt, ArcJihishoj) of EpJiesus. 
© Edmund Stonor, Archhishojp of TreUzond. 
James A. Campbell, Rector of the Scots' College. 
William G-iles, Hector of the English College. 



43 

Elizabeth Herbert of Lea. 
Alexander G-. Fullerton. 
Kenelm Vaughan. 



November 13th, 1889. 



THE UNIVERSITIES OF PARIS AND LYONS. 



From the time that the first step was taken towards the 
establishment of the Catholic University of America, the 
most friendly interest in the undertaking has been mani- 
fested by the Catholic Universities of France. This was 
shown on the present occasion by the addresses sent by 
the Universities of Paris and Lyons. In the following- 
letter Mgr. d'Hulst, Rector of the Catholic University of 
Paris, and a fast friend of our University from the begin- 
ning, expressed his regret at not being able to assist at 
the inauguration himself, and introduced the Viscount 
de Meaux, who was to represent both Paris and Lyons. 

INSTITUT CATHOLIQUE DE PARIS. 

74, RUE DE VaUGIRARD. 

Paris, le 24- Octohre, 1889. 
Monseigneur : — 

La tentation a ete bien forte pour moi de passer 1' Ocean, 
pour repondre a I'invitation de Yotre Grandeur et m'as- 
socier a la solennite de votre inauguration. Malheureuse- 
ment c'est aussi I'epoque de notre rentree. Le jour de 
votre ouverture est celui meme de I'assemblee annuelle 
de nos Eveques, assemblee dont je suis le Secretaire. Un 



44 

devoir rigoureux me retenait done. Dans cette conjonc- 
ture c'est un vrai bonheur pour moi, pour nous tons, de 
trouver dans la personne de Mr. le Vicomte de Meaux, 
ancien ministre, gendre de notre grand Montalembert, un 
representant qui consent a porter nos voeux et nos cordiales 
salutations aux fondateurs de I'llniversite d'Amerique. 

Ecrivain distingue, auteur d'ouvrages Mstoriques im- 
portants sur la Reforme protestante en France, Mr. de 
Meaux est digne par son talent et par I'ardeur de sa foi 
de continuer les giorieuses traditions de sa famille. 

Je suis heureux de remettre entre ses mains I'addresse 
de notre Universite a la votre. Je regrette seulement 
que la signature d'un bon nombre de nos professeurs, 
qui ne sont pas encore rentres, manque au bas de cette 
piece. Tons ceux qui sont a Paris I'ont signee avec joie 
et s'unissent a moi pour vous exprimer les sentiments 
fraternels qui nous animent envers votre personne et 
votre oeuvre. 

Plus libres que nous, vous pourrez mieux faire. Que 
Dieu benisse vos efforts ! Tons vos succes trouveront 
dans nos cceurs un joyeux echo. 

Je me permets de recommander a votre plus bien- 
veillant accueil notre eminent delegue et je le charge 
de renouveler particulierement en mon nom a Votre 
Grandeur I'hommage des sentiments respectueux avec 
lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monseigneur, 

Votre devoue et reconnaissant serviteur, 

M. d'Hulst, 

V. G-., Recteur. 



45 

The distinguished politician, savant, and literateur, 
thus accredited for so honorable a mission, spoke as 
follows, with an earnestness and eloquence which deeply 
moved all his hearers : 



Eminence, 

Messeigneurs et Messieurs, 

Charge de representor I'lnstitut Catholique de Paris 
et les Facultes Catholiques de Lyon, je devrais sans 
doute vous parler dans votre langue ; mais si j'essayais 
d'employer cette langue si fiere, si eloquente sur vos 
levres, je vous ferais trop souffrir, je la defigurerais. 
D'ailleurs, peutetre est-il a propos que quelques paroles 
fran§aises se fassent entendre dans cette solennite, car, 
en considerant, Messeigneurs, quels ont ete les premiers 
eveques assis aux heures de peine et de trouble sur les 
sieges que vous occupez aujourd'hui avec tant de zele et 
d'honneur, il me semble que pour plusieurs d'entre vous, 
la langue fran^aise est la langue des ancetres. Oui, si le 
nom de Lafayette est inscrit a cote de celui de Washing- 
ton dans I'histoire de votre independance, le nom de 
Cheverus est inscrit a cote de celui de Carroll dans I'his- 
toire de votre religion. Eh bien ! ce que la France etait 
a cette epoque, alors qu'un vent d'orage apportait la 
bonne semence sur cette terre neuve et fertile ou nous 
admirons aujourd'hui la moisson, ce qu'elle etait au dix- 
septieme siecle, alors qu'une reine catholique, une fille 
de notre Henri lY, inaugurait dans le Maryland a la fois 
le culte catholique et la liberte de religion, la France, 



46 

Messieurs, Test encore aujourd'hui ; toujours disposee a 
repandre au dehors ce qu'elle salt, ce qu'elle pense et ce 
qu'elle croit, elle est restee, dans la vieille Europe, le 
premier peuple missionnaire. C'est le temoignage que 
lui a rendu Fhomme dont la parole est votre lumiere, 
votre force et votre gioire. 

Eminence, avant de venir dans votre pays, j 'avals lu, 
avec une emotion reconnaissante, ce que vous avez ecrit 
sur le mien au lendemain de ses revers, et je me felicite 
particulierement de pouvoir, ici, en ce moment, vous en 
rendre graces. A mon tour, lorsque j'aurai repasse I'At- 
lantique, j 'essay erai de representor a mes compatriotes ce 
que je vols en ce moment, un grand peuple et une grande 
Eglise, I'un et I'autre contents et confiants, contents du 
present, confiants dans I'avenir. 

Je leur dirai que chez ce peuple, destine a meler 
ensemble toutes les races du monde, en les rajeunis- 
sant dans un bain de vie et de liberte, chez ce peuple 
libre, j'ai vu I'Eglise vraiment libre, j'ai vu la liberte 
servir au progres de la religion et la religion concourir 
au maintien de la liberte. Je leur dirai encore que, chez 
ce peuple, ou le travail, plus actif et plus fecond qu'il 
n'a jamais ete sur la terre, enfante, accroit, accumule la 
richesse, j'ai vu cette richesse mise au service de la reli- 
gion et de la science, consacree au developpement de 
I'esprit humain sous I'egide de la foi chretienne. 

C'est le spectacle que donne en naissant I'Universite 
Catholique de Washington; I'avenir qui lui est promis 
lui attire, des ce jour, un fraternel hommage de ses soeurs 
de Paris et de Lyon. 



47 
He then presented the following addresses : 

Paeis, le 23 Octohre, 1889. 

A Son Eminence le Cardinal Gibbons, 

A JN"!^. SS. les Archeveques et Eveques des Etats- 
Unis d'Amerique. 

A Monseigneur le Recteur, 

Et a tons les membres du corps professor al de TUni- 
versite Catholique de Washington. 

Eminence, 

Messeigneurs, 

Messieurs, ^ 

L'Universite Catholique de Paris, nee il y a quinze ans, 
envoie, en vos personnes, a la naissante TJniversite Cath- 
olique de Washington, ses voeux fraternels et I'expression 
de ses plus cordiales sympathies. 

Dans le Nouveau comme dans I'Ancien Monde, I'hu- 
manite s'agite a la recherche de la Science et perd le 
souci de la verite. II appartient aux enfants de la veri- 
table Eglise de faire cesser ce divorce entre les faits et 
les principes. Pour cela ils doivent entrer resolument 
dans le champ de la Science, y apporter un esprit hardi 
et sincere, mais y faire penetrer avec eux la lumiere. 
des verites superieures dont ils ont la garde. 

Les Universites seront les foyers de cette science 
a la fois ancienne et nouvelle, qui, par le respect des 
traditions et I'ardeur des recherches, doit relier le passe 
a I'avenir. 



48 

Salut a nos freres d'Amerique qui entreprennent de 
mettre la puissance de leur initiative et les ressources 
d'une vraie liberte au service de la foi dans les hautes 
regions du savoir ! 

D'un bord a I'autre de I'Ocean, I'aifection, I'estime, 
I'emulation de vos freres d'Europe vont au-devant de vos 
efforts et de vos esperances. 

Le 13 Novembre prochain, tandis que nous tiendrons a 
Paris notre Seance annuelle de rentree, sous la presidence 
des trente-deux Eveques fondateurs de notre Institut, 
nous serons aussi presents de coeur a Washington pour 
I'inauguration de votre Universite, 

Quam Deus sos2>itet, augeat et ornet ! 

M. d'Hulst, ffelat domestique de 8. S. 
recteur de V Universite Catholique de Paris. 

[Signed also by the Professors of the various Faculties.] 



A l'Universite catholique d'Amerique 

l'Universite catholique de Lyon. 

C'est avec un tressaillement d'allegresse que nous avons 
regu de Son Eminence le cardinal Gribbons et de Sa 
Grrandeur Monseigneur Keane, I'honorable message qui 
nous conviait a votre inauguration. L'un de nos amis, 
fils de I'Eglise de Lyon, M. le Vicomte de Meaux, gen- 
dre de I'illustre Comte de Montalembert, le glorieux 
champion de la liberte de I'enseignement, veut bien se 



49 

charger de nous representer aiipres de vous. II vous 
portera nos felicitations et nos voeux. 

Nous saluons dans votre naissance I'un des plus 
heureux evenements de ce siecle, I'un des plus glorieux 
pour I'Eglise romaine et son auguste Chef. 

N'etes vous pas un nouveau gage de la haute et inces- 
sante sollicitude de Leon XIII pour le progres des Let- 
tres et des Sciences chretiennes, qu'une cruelle oppression 
ne pent lui faire oublier ? 

Yous etes la preuve vivante de la fecondite de I'Eglise, 
notre mere, qui, en si peu de temps, a enfante tant de 
merveilles parmi vous. 

Yous nous donnez le salutaire exemple de I'accord qui 
doit regner entre I'Eglise et la vraie liberte. Nous vous 
regardons d'un ceil d'envie, et nous soupirons apres le 
jour ou notre vieille Europe, prenant modele sur la 
jeune Amerique, reconnaitra que la liberte n'a pas de 
meilleure amie ni de plus sure garantie que la religion 
de Celui qui I'a apportee au monde et I'a arrosee de son 
divin sang. 

Puisse le jeune arbre que I'Eglise vient de planter sur 
votre sol genereux croitre et se developper! Qu'il se 
couvre promptement de fruits ! Que les Etats-Unis, que 
toute I'Amerique en profitent, et que notre foi en regoive 
un nouveau lustre dans I'univers entier! Que I'ancien. 
et le nouveau monde, unis dans la memo foi et le meme 
amour, travaillent de concert a la gloire de Dieu et a 
I'extension de son regno sur la terre ! 

Tels sont les voeux fraternels que I'Universite catholi- 



50 

que de Lyon forme pour sa jeune soeur d'Amerique ; 
daigne la divine bonte les exaucer ! 

^ Joseph, Caed. Foulon, Arcliev. de Lyon^ 

Chancelier de V Universite Catholique de Lyon. 

J. Caeray, Prelat de la maison de S.S. 

Recteur de V Universite. 

[Signed also by all the Professors in the Faculties of Theology, Law, 
Letters and Sciences.] 

On the very day of our inauguration, there was held in 
Paris a meeting of the Prelates under whose patronage 
the Catholic University of that city is conducted. They 
were not unmindful of the kindred work then being com- 
menced in the western world, and testified their friendly 
sympathy in the following telegram : 

Paeis, le 13 Novembre, 1889. 

" Cardinaux, Archeveques, Eveques, reunis a Paris 
pour Conseil de I'Universite Catholique, envoient aux 
Eveques americains voeux fraternels pour I'Universite de 
Washington." 

Signed : Caedinal Beenadou, Archeveque de Sens. 
Caedinal Richaed, ArcJieveque de Paris. 



51 
THE LAVAL UNIVERSITY. 



The Laval University of Quebec was not only repre- 
sented by the Cardinal Archbishop, its Chancellor, but 
also by its excellent Rector, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Benj. 
Paquet. The latter, in his robes of office, made an ad- 
dress expressive of the sisterly gladness and love with 
which the Laval University welcomed the Catholic Uni- 
versity of America into the realms of higher education in 
which she had herself so long reigned with honor ; and 
as a pledge of the links of affection which were forever, 
he trusted, to unite the two institutions in the same 
noble and holy work, he, in the name of his University, 
bestowed on the Rector of the new University the degree 
and diploma of Doctor of Divinity. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA. 



The University of Ottawa, which, from the rank of 
College, had reached the dignity of a University within 
the last few months, was also represented by its Chan- 
cellor, the Most Rev. Joseph T. Duhamel, Archbishop of 
Ottawa, and by its President, the Very Rev. Celestin 
Augier, who, immediately after the address of Mgr. 
Paquet, gave utterance to similar sentiments in the name 
of his University. The fact that the Providence of God 
had called these two seats of learning into existence at 



52 

the same time, should be a lasting guarantee, he said, of 
their mutual attachment, and an additional incentive to 
holy rivalry in doing great work for God and for 
country. 

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN. 



The venerable University of Louvain, which all the 
Catholic Universities of the world revere and look to as 
a model, was not able to send a representative to the 
inauguration, though its officials had repeatedly expressed 
the desire that it might be in their power to do so. But 
the Rector Magnificus, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Abbeloos, ex- 
pressed the sentiments of the entire Faculty in the fol- 
lowing telegram : 

" Louvain, Nov. 12th, 1889. 

The University of Louvain rejoices at the glorious cele- 
bration of the American Centennial by the founding of 
the Catholic University. Grlory to God ! Happiness 
to the American people." 

Signed : " Rector Abbeloos." 

This was followed by a letter from the Rt. Rev. Mgr. 
Mercier, the distinguished Professor of Higher Philoso- 
phy at Louvain, breathing in warmest words the frater- 
nal sympathy with which he has watched and aided the 
work from its commencement. 



53 

THE AMERICAN COLLEGE AT ROME. 



Besides the telegram of the Rev. Dr. Farrelly, con- 
veying the congratulations and blessing of the Holy 
Father, the American College at Rome sent another 
dispatch in the name of all its students. During the 
months which, on two occasions, the Rector had spent 
there, attending to the business of the University with 
the Holy See, our American students in the Eternal City 
had in very many ways manifested the profound interest 
with which they watched every stage of its development. 
And now that the day had come for its being launched 
forth to its work, they sent a joint message of rej dicing 
and of loving good wishes, signed by the worthy Yice 
Rector of the College, presiding in the absence of Mgr. 
O'Connell, who was present with us, in their name and 
in his own. 



ST. MARY'S, OSCOTT. 



A beautifully illuminated address was sent by the 
Bishop of Birmingham, signed by himself, as Rector 
of the Seminary of St. Mary's, Oscott, and by all the 
Faculty of that historic institution. It ran as follows: 

"To THE Right Rev. John J. Keane, Bishop of 
Ajasso, Rector of the Catholic Univer- 
sity, Washington. 

"We, the Rector, Professors, and Students of the 
Birmingham Diocesan Seminary, at St. Mary's, Oscott, 



54 

hasten to offer our warm congratulations on the auspi- 
cious day of the opening of the new American Univer- 
sity. For the establishment of a Catholic University 
in the New World, after long forethought, with such 
suitability to the needs of the age, and with large-minded 
and characteristic generosity, is an event to gladden the 
hearts of Catholics throughout the world. 

" The foreshadowing and growth of your ideal we have 
watched with a lively and fraternal interest ; and for the 
day of solemn inauguration we send you our cordial 
greetings, that you may know we are rejoicing with you, 
and praying that the noble conception of the great Hier- 
archy of the States may grow with the growth of your 
people, and may prosper and be blessed, like those his- 
toric universities of our Old World, and never fail, as 
some have done, in the glory of their submission to the 
Church of Christ. 

" We have, moreover, to present to your Lordship our 
hearty congratulations on your appointment to the dis- 
tinguished and responsible office of First Rector, and on 
the conspicuous success of your labors. 

" And lastly, we desire to greet with sincere affection 

the Staff you have gathered around you, in whom we all 

recognize men of w^orth and ability, and some of us our 

personal friends." 

(The Signatures.) 

Novemher 2d, 1889. 



55 



ST. CUTHBERT'S, USHAW. 



From the President and Faculty of St. Cuthbert's Col- 
lege, TJshaw, Durham, the following address was received, 
through the Very Rev. Monsignor Gadd. 

" My Bear Lord: 

" On occasion of the solemn inauguration of the Cath- 
olic University at Washington, I desire to convey to 
your Lordship, in the name of my fellow-Professors 
and my own, our warmest congratulations and heartfelt 

joy- 

" For more than a quarter of a century, the establish- 
ment of a Catholic University has occupied the minds of 
their Lordships, the Bishops of the United States. For 
they felt that the intellectual needs of their country could 
only be adequately met by a seat of the highest learning, 
a nursery of literature, art, and science, similar to those 
which have been the glory of the Catholic Church in 
every age and country. By the inauguration of the Cath- 
olic University in the Metropolis of America, their ardent 
wishes are now to be realized and this long-felt want 
supplied. It is hardly possible to overrate the import- 
ance of this noble and glorious work, stamped as it is 
with the seal of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII, and 
destined, under the blessing of Grod and His Vicar, to 
bring forth fruits of inestimable value both to the Church 
and country of America. 



56 

May the young men of America be impressed with a 
laudable ambition of profiting b}^ the advantages now 
offered them ; may they be led gladly to enter a sanctuary, 
from which the light of true doctrine will radiate, and 
where education will be the handmaid of Religion. 

Allow us then to join with the rest of the Christian 
world in congratulating you on this memorable day, and 
in wishing success to the great work you are inaugurat- 
ing. It is our earnest and heartfelt prayer that God 
may bless and prosper this work, and that He may pre- 
serve your Lordship in health and strength for many a 
year, to encourage and guide the youth of the Catholic 
University of Washington in the paths of virtue and 
learning. 

With kindest regards, and renewed good wishes. 
Believe me, my dear Lord, 

Your obedient and faithful servant, 

James Lemon, 

President. 

Nov. Sd, 1889. 



ST. BEDE'S COLLEGE, MANCHESTER. 



From the above-named institution, one of the monu- 
ments of Bishop Vaughan's zeal for Christian education, 
came the following address, also through the courtesy of 
Monsignor Gradd. It is inscribed in a beautiful album 
of photographic views of the College. 



57 

" To THE Right Rev. John J. Keane, Bishop of 
Jassus, Rectoe of the Catholic Uniyer- 
siTY, Washington. 

" The Rector, Professors, and Students of St. Bede's 
College, Manchester, take advantage of the happy cir- 
cumstance of the presence of their Yice-Rector at the 
Inauguration of the Catholic University of America, to 
respectfully present to your Lordship their sincere con- 
gratulations upon this most auspicious event in the his- 
tory of the Catholic Church in the United States of North 
America. 

" The erection of the Catholic University is the glori- 
ous crowning of the marvellous record of progre|s and 
development which, under the blessing of Divine Provi- 
dence, has unrolled itself during the brief course of a 
century in the great Republic connected by the triple 
bond of blood and speech and Faith with the Catholics 
of these islands. ]N'othing that aifects the welfare of 
the Church in the United States can be indifferent to the 
Church in this land. But the great question of Catholic 
Education, the most vital question affecting the Church 
of the present day, is above all the one which most 
deeply stirs the sympathy and interest of all those who 
are in any way practically engaged in it. In thus com- 
pleting the noble edifice, by the erection of the supreme 
Academical Institution of a great National Alma Mater, 
the Catholics of the United States are setting a splendid 
example, which we in England at present may only 
admire at a distance, but which we may fondly hope 
some day to imitate. 



58 

"A Catholic College like ours, which is entirely de- 
voted to the work of modern and commercial education, 
may claim a special right to watch with deep and sym- 
pathetic interest the Catholic educational work of a great 
country, so eminent amongst the nations for its progres- 
sive spirit, the vigor of its energy and enterprise, the 
fertility of its inventive resource, and above all for that 
frank and unreserved liberty, under which the Church 
is left free to expand her energies and devote the ful- 
ness of her strength to the healing and helping of 
peoples." 

Signed, " Thomas Canon Wrennall, 

Eectory 

[Signed also by the entire Faculty, and by a committee of the students 
in the name of the rest.] 



THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF GREAT 
BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 



Besides the messages of fraternal greeting sent directly 
to the University, precious words concerning its estab- 
lishment were embodied in the addresses sent by the 
Archbishops and Bishops of G-reat Britain and Ireland 
on the occasion of the Centenary of our Hierarchy. 

The Archbishops of Armagh, Dublin, Cashel, and 
Tuam, in the name of all the Irish Prelates, write as 
follows : 

" To the great Thanksgiving with which you close the 
hundred years just passed, you are to add. Venerable 



59 

Brethren, another scarcely less illustrious act with which 
to open the second century of the American Church. 
The Catholic University of America is, indeed, a mighty 
name to write upon the first page of the new record. It 
is an achievement and a promise. It is the fruit of the 
steady growth of Catholic Education in the United States 
for the last hundred years ; and it contains the seeds of 
yet greater development in the time to come. We have 
learned too well in Ireland what it is to be without a 
Catholic University equal to our needs. Year after year 
have we deplored the disabilities that either deprived 
our Catholic youth of higher education altogether, or 
drove them, in their search for it, whither our blessing 
could not follow them. From our inmost hearts, there- 
fore, we felicitate you on the glorious inauguration of 
your Catholic University ; and we pray that the blessing 
of Leo which speeds it on its way, may guard it through 
ages yet to come, to be a guiding light to the great intel- 
lect of America, and the nursing Mother of those whose 
wisdom and whose sanctity will instruct her noble people 
unto justice." 



In the joint address of the Bishops of Hexam and 
IN'ewcastle, Leeds, Salford, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, and 
Shrewsbury, the establishment of the Catholic Univer- 
sity is thus beautifully dwelt upon : 

" Above all, we are impressed with your zeal for a 
higher education. We have heard with singular interest 
of the determination of the American Hierarchy to crown 



60 

their system of Catholic schools and colleges by the erec- 
tion of a Catholic University. Living as we do in the 
midst of a world which is agitated by intellectual strife, 
we feel the extreme importance to Catholics of a course 
of such higher studies as are proper to a University ; 
while at the same time we are profoundly convinced that 
a Catholic spirit and a Catholic atmosphere are as essen- 
tial for the training and formation of Catholic youth 
during the University period of their education as excel- 
lence in method and brilliancy in teaching power. 

" You have been unwilling to compromise the future 
of the Catholic Church in America by attaching your 
Catholic youth to any of your great national seats of 
learning, because you knew that these, not being frankly 
Catholic, would never be places of education for Catholic 
youth. You have not hesitated, therefore, during the 
infancy of your Church, to lay the foundations of a purely 
Catholic University, which shall develop and expand 
with your growth during centuries to come. 

" We congratulate you upon the lofty ideal, the public 
spirit, the splendid generosity, which you have found in 
your Catholic people, and upon the wisdom which has 
induced you, with the consent and cooperation of all, to 
begin by founding that portion of a University curricu- 
lum, which is made up of the various branches of sacred 
science. For while Religion must always be the founda- 
tion of a University education, there seems to be a special 
reason why higher education in jour University should 
begin with the Clergy. The Priesthood is designed by 
Grod to be the salt of the earth and the guardian of truth. 



61 

It would therefore appear to be a matter of the highest 
prudence and forethought, in considering the common 
weal, to make special and early provision for the educa- 
tion of a succession of highly-trained Ecclesiastics, whose 
lives may become consecrated to learning and to the 
elucidation of truth. They, as a class, will become the 
most useful servants of the Republic, because they will, 
as skilled and well-trained men of science, deal with 
those errors which are ever attacking the fundamental 
truths of philosophy and revelation, and endeavoring to 
turn the world back to that worship of nature which 
Christ our Lord, the Saviour of the World, came to 
destroy and to supplant. ^ 

" We, therefore, congratulate your Eminence, and our 
brethren of the great American Hierarchy, upon the 
celebration of the Centenary of the Church of the United 
States, and we wish you Grod-speed in the noble under- 
taking in behalf of truth and learning on which you are 
engaged. May it become a worthy memorial of a Catho- 
lic people's gratitude to Grod for the Divine Goodness 
which has abundantly blessed them during the century 
which has just closed ; may it become the matrix of their 
intellectual strength, the arsenal of natural science and 
Divine Truth, and a beacon, shining brightly over your 
land, of fidelity and obedience to Blessed Peter and to 
his Holy Roman See." 



IV. 



THE FORMAL OPENING OF THE 
COURSES. 



Shortly after 4 o'clock, the strains of the Marine Band 
playing a national anthem summoned all to the Lecture 
Hall, for the exercises which were to formally inaugurate 
the University courses of instruction. Every inch of the 
stage and of the auditorium was filled with the assem- 
blage of Prelates, Clergy, and laity, while thousands 
filled all the space around, whence even a distant glimpse 
of the scene could be obtained. 

After the chanting of the Veni Sancte Spiritus, his 
Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, ofi'ered up the prayer to 
the Holy Ghost. 

The Rt. Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton, then 
delivered the inaugural oration. In language whose 
eloquence called forth frequent rounds of hearty applause, 
he showed the relation between Divine Truth and human 
science, and sketched the action of the Church in all ages 
as the faithful expounder of the one and the generous 
patron of the other. Having demonstrated that, in the 
nature of things, there can be no contradiction between 
God's word and God's works, that it is absurd to suppose 
62 



63 

a thing true in theology and false in science, or the re- 
verse, he put in admirably clear light the consequence 
that religion cannot possibly have anything to fear from 
the advance of scientific discovery, nor scientific progress 
any reason to look with dread or disfavor upon fidelity 
to religious convictions. Then glancing down the history 
of education and of intellectual advancement in all coun- 
tries, he showed that, in fact, science never obtained 
greater successes than in times and countries distinc- 
tively Catholic ; that in the most remarkable intellects 
that have ever existed, clearness and strength of faith 
was usually associated with a reverent eagerness to search 
out the ways of God in creation, for the Creator's g'lory 
and for the utility of human life ; that the Church's word 
of caution against rashness of assertion was never meant 
as a hindrance to real discovery ; that Popes and Prelates 
most distinguished for zeal for the faith have ordinarily 
been foremost advocates and patrons of literature, art, 
and science. Finally, he dwelt upon the spectacle, now 
attracting the admiration of' the world, of our country, 
foremost in industrial energy, in inventive genius, in 
social progress, in intellectual eagerness; and yet pre- 
senting statistics of the Church's advancement such as 
can hardly elsewhere be equalled. The establishment in 
the heart of such a country of an institution aiming at 
the perfect union of religion and science, was, he argued, 
a significant summing up of all the history of past ages, 
and a splendid augury of the mingled light of divine and 
human truth which was safely to guide our new world in 
still nobler paths for the future. 



64 

It is greatly to be regretted that circumstances have 
hindered the learned Prelate from writing in full, for 
publication, the admirable discourse of which the. above 
is too meagre an outline. Its merit is all the greater 
because of the circumstances under which it was delivered. 
The Inaugural Oration was to have been given by the 
Rt. Rev. J. L. Spalding, Bishop of Peoria. When 
assailed by ill health, he sent timely warning ; but the 
hope was still entertained, till within a few days of the 
Inauguration, that he might yet be able to fulfil his 
engagement. It was when it became certain, almost at 
the last moment, that he could not come, that the Bishop 
of Trenton generously consented to make the effort, which 
succeeded so admirably. 



After a few moments of intermission, enlivened by the 
music of the Band, the Very Rev. Monsignor Joseph 
Schroeder, D. D., Professor of Dogmatic Theology and 
Dean of the Present Faculty of the University, spoke as 
follows : 

Eminentissimi Princijoes, 

lUustrissimi ac Beverendissimi Praesules, 

Auditores Colendissimi, Ornatissimi, 

QI viros summa praeditos eloquentia, cum ad dicendum 
venissent, sive loci amplitudine, sive audientium 
dignitate, immo etiam unius principis adspectu ita con- 
turbatos fuisse accepimus, ut pro magna sua modera- 
tione atque modestia silentium sibi imperarent, quo 



65 

tandem animo ego affectus sim oportet^ qui turn virium 
mearum tenuitatem ingeniique mediocritatem apprime 
sentiam, turn in ea dicendi conditione sim constitutus, 
ut quae singula oratorum animos commovere consue- 
verint, ea mihi sese hodierno die oiferant atque obiiciant 
universa? Non enim in unum tantum principem ocu- 
lorum aciem converto, sed quotquot sanctae ecclesiae 
pastor es, quotquot nobilissimae huius reipublicae firma- 
menta, quotquot ornamenta virtutum, artium scientia- 
rumque lumina conspicio, totidem mihi consessum 
principum videor intueri ! Accedit quod adstante lec- 
tissimorum hominum frequentia dicendum mihi est 
Washingtonii, in ea scilicet urbe, cuius vel i|^sum 
nomen gratae erga patriae joatrem tot illustrissimae 
civitates, amicissimo inter se foedere coniunctae, pecu- 
liari quadam observantia prosequuntur ; in sede reipub- 
licae illius, quam sapientissimis legibus temperatam, 
mira civium in amplissima libertate industria, in maxi- 
ma aemulatione concordia fiorentissimam, non modo 
ceterae Americae nationes, sed Europa etiam, totus 
denique orbis non sine quadam invidia admirabundi 
suspiciunt ! Nonne tandem veterum illud : 'Ne Iliada 
post Homerum! 'Ne Olynthiam post Demosthenem! 
verissime quis mihi dictum putaverit, quippe qui verba 
ad vos facere ausim post oratores omnibus nominibus- 
praestantissimos omnique exceptione maiores, quorum 
vox auctoritatis atque eloquentiae plena hisce ipsis die- 
bus, quid dico? immo hoc ipso die, hac ipsa hora vestrum 
tantopere baud immerito plausum admirationemque ex- 
citavit? Quare non audaciae tantum, sed temeritatis 



66 

forem arguendus, si coram vobis, Eminentissimi, Rever- 
endissimi, Ornatissimi auditores ! dicendi munus ullo 
modo appetivissem et si plura pliiribus persequi in animo 
esset. Cum vero in hunc locum non conscenderim nisi 
iis impulsus precibus, quibus reniti nefas, iam ipsa haec 
obsequentis atque obedientis erga insignem Rectorem 
nostrum voluntatis significatio facile efficiet, ut pauca 
dicturus nulla apud vos excusatione indigeam, et contra 
eximia vestra benignitas atque humanitas meam non 
mediocriter sublevet ac sustentet infirmitatem. 

Quid prius dicam solitis Parentis 
Laudihus ? 

JS'am profecto, si ullo unquam post ereptos Americae 
populos e paganitatis tenebris tempore cognitum atque 
comprobatum fuit, quam pater na Deus 0. M. nascentem 
in Ms regionibus Ecclesiam suam providentia sit am- 
plexus et adhuc amplectatur ; quanta sit sanctissimae 
religioni nostrae ad maxima quaeque suscipienda suscep- 
taque perficienda, indita divinitus vis atque virtus: in iis 
certe, quos per centum abhinc annos reportatos celebravi- 
mus, triumphis ; in novo boc inusitatoque, quern hodie 
agimus, ita haec omnia patefacta sunt, ut nunquam 
maioribus et illustrioribus argumentis aut illustrata esse 
aut in posterum illustrari posse videantur. Quapropter 
ante omnia gratias iterum atque iterum persolvemus 
praesenti praepotentique Numini, quo non aedificante 
domum, in vanum laborant hominum vel ingeniosissima 
consilia, '■''a quo omne datum honum et omne donum j^er- 



67 

fectum mandatum est nohis in plenitudinem catholicae eius 
et aj)OstoUcae Ecclesiae.^^^ JN'os vero, quotquot, licet im- 
meriti, acl optimos quosque adolescentes altioribiis disci- 
plinis informandos hue acciti sumiis, fide sollemniter 
coram vobis, Patres amplissimi, data, nostrum illud per- 
petuoverbum^ facimus : ^^Beus lux meaV^ altissimisque 
radicibus in mentibus nostris defixa facem nobis in in- 
quirendo atque docendo nunquam non praeferet magni 
Leonis XIII sententia ; " conatus nostras irritos fiituros, 
nisi communia coe'pta Ille secundet, qui ^Deus scientiarum ' 
in divinis eloqiiiis ajppellatur / " ^ 

TAM vero divini illius ac prorsus ineffabilis amoris, quo 
coelestis Paterfamilias omnes omnium caritates am- 
plectitur unus, ^'"mensuram honam et confertam et coagi- 
tatam et sujper effluent em " ^ dedit in sinum illius, quem 
ad gubernandam universam familiam suam^ in Petri 
SEDE constituit quemque Patrem per orbem terrarum 
sancta colit atque veneratur Ecclesia. 

Nemo tam Pater! liocce verissimo eodemque suavis- 
simo elogio inde a primis rerum cbristianarum exordiis 
ad nostra usque tempora grati prosecuti sunt populi 
Romanos Pontifices, qui per Urbem et Orbem, per op- 
pida et vices, per tempora et saecula ad instar divini 
Magistri ^^ pertransierunt henefaoiendo / " ^ 

Wemo tam Pater! sic in mirabili mundi totius con- 
centu, tot tantorumque memor beneficiorum, Petri suc- 
cessores devota compellat America ! 

^ Of. Patres Concil. Cateran. sub Martino I. ^ In aedificio insculptum. 
^ Encycl. Aeterni Patris. * Luc. 6, 38. 

5 q. S. Ignat. M. ad Ephes. « Act. 10, 38. 



68 

Nemo tarn Pater! Sic te, Leo maxime, sollemni hoc 
faustissimoque die nostra haec laetabunda salutat aca- 
demia ! 

Tu enim, teste dilectissimo Cardinali nostro^ splendid- 
issimo illo ecclesiae Americanae lumine, tu singulari tua 
sollicitudine atque prudentia " rigasti, quae Pius P. VI 
plantavit ! " ^ 

Tu tuae erga nos voluntatis ilium nobis misisti inter- 
pretem, quo meliorem, doctiorem atque eloquentiorem 
non dico invenire, sed ne exoptare quidem potuissemus ! ^ 

Liceat mihi, Illustrissime ac Reverendissime Summi 
Pastoris legate, carissimorum collegarum meisque verbis 
banc abs te expetere gratiam, ut amantissimo Patri nos- 
tros filialis amoris atque obedientiae sensus aperias, qui- 
bus imbuti, nullo negiecto artium et scientiarum vero 
progressu, ex divinis humanisque thesauris " nova pro- 
ferentes et vetera," Magni Aquinatis doctrinam " illus- 
trare, tueri et ad grassantium errorum refittationem adhi- 
here^^^ pro viribus conabimur. Totius vero nostrae 
credendi, agendi docendique rationis veluti tesseram 
quandam Divi Hieronymi luculentissima ilia verba Su- 
premo ludici exhibeas : ^'- Nos nullum 'primum nisi Chris- 
tum sequentes, Beatudini Tuae, i. e. Cathedrae Petri con- 
sociamurl Super illam aedificatam ecclesiam scimus ! Non 
novimus falsitatis magisiros, pravas opiniones respuimus, 
ignoramus novatores I Qui tecum non coUigit, spargit. Si 
quis cathedrae Petri iungitur, noster est / " ^ 

^ Emus Card. Gibbons in litteris pastoralibus. ^ Sc. Rmum arcbiep. Satolli. 

* Encycl. "Aeterni Patris." Cf. Constitutiones Catholicae Universitatis Americae, 
p. 42, 45. * Cf. ep. 15. et 16. ad Damas. 



69 

QICUTI vero, ut S. Cypriani verbis utar, " ejpiscopatus 
^ unus est, cuius a singulis in solidum jpars tenetur,''^ ^ ita 
etiam laus tot fidei victoriis ac triumphis nostris in 
regionibus adepta, in episcopos redundat, quos in partem 
sollicitudinis a Romano Pontifice vocatos in nobis "*S^z>- 
itus Sanctus posuit regere ecclesiam Deir ^ Quis vero in 
Americae historia tam est peregrinus atque hospes, qui 
quanta sint praesulum, quanta cleri populique Catholici 
universi in instituendo hoc Lycaeo merita, quot in per- 
ficiendo tanto opere difficultates fortiter superaverint, 
quot labores invicto animo exantlaverint, non legerit vel 
audiverit? Quis est tam remotus, tam inaccessus toto 
orbe locus, quo munificentissimae illius vereque r^iae, 
quam pastores egregii verbo et exemplo in civibus non 
semel excitaverunt, liberalitatis fama non pervaserit? 

In vos, Reverendissimi Praesules, Sancti Augustini, 
apostolicos priscae aetatis viros laudibus exornantis verba 
lubentissime transferam : '■'' Isti episcopi sunt, docti, graves, 
sancti, veritatis acerrimi defensores, in quorum ratione, eru- 
ditione, lihertate, non potes invenire quod spernas. Talihus 
post Apostolos sancta Ecclesia plantatoribus, rigatoribus, 
aedijicatorihus, pastorihus, nutritorihus crevit, qui divinae 
familiae dominica cibaria Jideliter ministrantes ingenti in 
Domino gloria claruerunt^ ^ 

Salvete igitur, pastores eximii ! Salvete americani gre- 
gis decora atque ornamental Salvete huius academiae 
firmamenta et praesidia ! Vestram festis hisce diebus 
intuiti frequentissimam nobilissimamque coronam, ves- 

1 De unitate ecclesiae. ^ Of. Act. 20, 28. 

3 Cf. Aug. cont. lul. II, n. 37. 



70 

tram admirati " Gommunicationem pads et appellationem 
fraternitatis et contesserationem hospitalitatis,^'' ^ non potui- 
mus nostros coliibere summae laetitiae sensus ; non 
potuimus non exclamare cum regio propheta: "0 quam 
honum et quam iucundum liabitare tales fratres in unum! " 
Vos igitur cum Petri Sede arctissimo vinculo coniunc- 
tos duces sequemur ac magistros ; vestra nostra est laus, 
vester noster est honor. Patrum secuti exemplum 'Hntel- 
lectus secundum qiiem sentimus " ^ tanquam arrabonem et 
pignus vobis esse volumus immotam illam '■^Jidei et sani- 
tatis regulam:^''^ ^^Communicamus cum successoribus Apos- 
tolorum, communicamus cum episcopis nostris, quod nulli 
doctrina diver sa: hoc est testimonium veritatisf'' * 

QUID tandem quod non catliolicos tantum, sed omnes 
harum civitatum cives, quod universam lianc poten- 
tissimam rempublicam uberrimos ex liisce Ecclesiae 
Catholicae triumpliis fructus esse percepturos, meo mihi 
iure dicere posse videor? Immortale enim Dei miser- 
entis opus, quod est Ecclesia, eaque ex mater no ipsius 
sinu efflorescunt instituta, quamquam per se et natura 
sua salutem spectant animorum adipiscendamque in 
coelis felicitatem, tamen in ipso etiam rerum mortalium 
genere tot ac tantas ultro pariunt utilitates, ut plures 
maioresve non possent, si in primis et maxime essent 
ad tuendam tiuius vitae, quae in terris agitur, prosperi- 
tatem destinata.^ Quid vero hac in re verbis opus est, 

^Tertall, Praescript. c. 20, 21. 2g_ Athanas. or. I cont. Arian. n. 34. 

^S. August, in loann. tract. 18 n. 1. * Cf. Tertull. Praescript. 1. c. 

^ Of. Leonis PP. XIII Encycl, de civitatum constitutione Christiana. 



71 

cum facta quodammodo loqui videantur? Nonne hanc 
ipsam ob causam summi illi viri, qui ad reipublicae 
nostrae sedent gubernacula, hodiernum nostrum conces- 
sum exoptatissima sua praesentia cohonestarunt atque 
exornarunt ? Nonne id ipsum persuasum est innumeris 
illis civibus nostris, qui, licet aliter de rebus divinis 
sentiant, insignis tamen suae erga nos benevolentiae et 
existimationis baud ambigua signa turn antea praesti- 
terunt tum boc quoque die praestare non dubitant ? 

Augeatur igitur et crescat in hisce plagis, coelestibus 
benedictionibus quoquoversus repletis, sanctae religionis 
amor et reverentia ! 

Vivat et floreat, Dei 0. M. auxilio innixa, Deiparae 
Immaculatae, S. Joseph, Divi Pauli, S. Thomae Coeli- 
tumque omnium patrocinio fulta, academia haec nostra, 
tam felicibus hodie auspiciis coepta ! 

Adolescant in ea et ad gravissimas quasque disciplinas 
exerceantur iuvenes ingenui, ut ad sacra praelia valentes 
quam qui maxime existant ! ^ 

Clarius in dies clariusque generosissimis Americae 
populis orbique universo innotescat, quam vera sit, 
quam aperta, quam sincera sententia, aedium baruni 
fronti marmoreis, cordibus vero nostris flammeis iis- 
que nunquam interituris litteris inscripta : " Deo et 

PATRIAE ! " 

Dixi. 

^ Q. Leonis XIII. epist. ad episc. Bavariae. 



72 



Convenientque tuas avidi componere laudes 

Undique, quique canunt vincto pede, quique soluto. 

Tib. 
Oh ! mihi quae reriim spectacula laeta novarum 

Nunc sese obiiciunt ! quae nos delectat imago 

Et mira attonitum replet dulcedine pectus ! 

Scilicet e vastis nostri confinibus orbis 

Concilium, sanctique Patres, simul agmine facto, 

Et clari coiere viri, quos inclita virtus 

Divitiisque suis Sapientia diva magistros 

Efficit, et partum sustollit ad aethera nomen. 

Plaude, America, bonis summo quam spectat ab axe 

Luminibus, laetisque Deus confirmat et auget 

Auspiciis ; mecumque, Viri, vos plaudite iunctis 

Laetitiis, meliusque sacris confidite rebus. 

Lux iam centenis convertitur orbibus anni, 
Elapsoque dies fortunatissima saeclo 
lam redit, in nostris viguit quo condita terris 
Religio et pietas, Pastoribus undique sacris 
Legitimo proj)rias habitantibus ordine sedes, 
Atque potestatis, Petri quae manat ab Urbe, 
Per certos demum sancito iure ministros. 

Quis fando memoret manibus quot munera plenis, 
Quot benefacta Deus, tot iam volventibus annis, 
Contulerit nobis ? quam laetos usque triumphos, 
Quot palmas, coelo victoria lapsa sereno, 
Foedere perpetuo nostris effuderit oris ? 
Quam multis lux affulsit divinitus hausta ! 
Quam late Christi nomen cultusque per urbes 
Montesque et silvas, ac per deserta ferarum 
Emicuit, pressasque diu caligine gentes 
Eripuit tenebris Christique adiunxit ovili ! 



73 



Pax et arnica quies nostris dominatur in agris. 
Aurea libertas, quam lex tamen aequa coercet 
Et regit imperio : foecundo copia cornu 
Divitias sine fine parat ; prudentia rerum 
Eximia hos populos cunctis regionibus aequat. 
Impietas petulans magis usque magisque fatiscit ; 
Errorum fera turba fugit ; fugere phalanges 
Tartareae, et Stygii franguntur sceptra tyranni, 
Dum quassat ventis insignia sacra secundis 
Relligio, subigitque animos victricibus armis. 

At nunc ecce novum, revoluto sidere, saeclum 
Incipit, augurio natum meliore, novoque 
Ordine, qui rebus ferat incrementa futuris 
Et libertatis sanctae faustissima dona 
Provehat in melius ; Christi sacri iura propaget, 
Clarius et veri coUustret lumine mentes. 
Omine propitio superisque iuvantibus, ALMA 
Consurgit Sedes, studiisque volentibus ardet 
Tutari sacras coniunctis viribus artes, 
lustitiam legesque pias, exemplaque vitae 
Quae gentes reddant terraque poloque beatas, 
Et quidquid ratio, quidquid pia dogmata tradunt 
Christicolum sanas docuisse fideliter aures. 

Sic Deus aspiret coeptis, et Virgo secimdet 
Consilium, ut mulcet spes iucundissima pectus : 
Affore mox tempus, plenam sapientia lucem 
Cum terris America tuis pelagoque refiindet, 
Et Christi imperium cunctis dominabitur oris. 
Hoc omnes cupimus : vult hoc Leo maximus, afflat 
Qui primus tantos generosa in pectora sensus ; 
Et quamquam pressus bello vinctusque catenis, 



74 

Proh ! scelus et probrum ! tamen omnia circumspectat 
Impiger, et populos toto procul orbe remotos 
Sublevat auxilio, cunctasque informal ad artes. 

Salve, Magne Pater ! duce te, teque auspice surgat 
Hoc opus, et fructus in longum proferat aevum ! 
Et quae consilio, virtute, et fortibus ausis 
lamdudum floret, doctrinae floreat haustu 
Religione potens pietate America refulgens, 
Et servet magni nomen per saecla Leonis. 

When the applause which followed Mgr. Schroeder's 
eloquent address had subsided, a full choir chanted the 
Oremus pro Pontifice Nostro Leone; Cardinal Grib- 
bons gave his benediction, and the exercises of the 
Inauguration Day of the Catholic University of America 
were at an end. 

Ere the vast multitude of guests and visitors had 
begun to disperse, the storm-clouds, apt symbols of the 
difficulties inseparable from the beginnings of such an 
enterprise, had rolled away, and the evening stars shone 
down clear and tranquil from a cloudless sky, fit type 
of the placid routine of University life that was now to 
begin within the walls which this da}^ had consecrated 
to Religion and Science. 



75 
THE ACTUAL OPENING OF UNIVERSITY WORK. 



That very evening, at half past eight o'clock, the first 
corps of students assembled in the University Chapel, 
to begin their spiritual retreat. During the four follow- 
ing days, the exercises of this holy time of recollection 
and prayer, conducted by the Rt. Rev. Rector and the 
Rev. Father Hogan, S. S,, were carried on as calmly and 
regularly as if the institution had been years in exist- 
ence, and not just emerged from the bustle and ceremony 
of its inauguration. 

On Monday morning, November 18th, the Rt. Re"\^ Rec- 
tor celebrated the Mass of the Holy Grhost, in the presence 
of the entire Faculty and the students. At its close, the 
Professors of Divinity, kneeling before the altar, recited 
aloud the Profession of Catholic Faith, and kissed the 
Holy Gospels as a pledge of their faithful adhesion to 
the same in all their teaching. Professors and students 
together then chanted the Te Deum with splendid effect. 

A few minutes later, all were assembled in one of the 
lecture halls, to hear the opening discourse, delivered by 
the Rt. Rev. Rector. 

He began by showing the relation between the course 
of study which they had made in the various Seminaries, 
and that which they were now to begin in the Univer- 
sity, which, he explained, was to be deeper, broader, and 
more practically applied to all the questions agitating 
the mind of the world to-day. He introduced to the 
students successively the Professors of Dogmatic Theol- 



76 

ogy, of Moral Theology, of Apologetics or Fundamental 
Theology, of Holy Scripture, and of English Literature, 
and sketched the course of instruction which each was 
to give during the year, as had been determined in 
previous meetings of the Faculty and of the University 
Senate. He indicated the order in which there were 
soon to be added courses of Sacred Eloquence and of 
Elocution, of the Scriptural and modern languages, and 
of other branches accessory to sacred studies. He dwelt 
upon the spirit of manly earnestness and dutifulness 
which success in such work would demand from them, 
and expressed his conviction that, in all the qualities 
which make model students, this first corps, the pioneers 
of the great work, would be a pattern and a mould for 
all the generations of students that were to follow them. 

The enthusiasm of their response proved that the 
appeal and the confidence should not be in vain. The 
remainder of the day was spent in recreation, and in 
immediate preparation for the scholastic duties at hand. 

The following day, Tuesday, November 19th, each of 
the Professors held class, and work was begun in earnest. 



V. 

PERSONNEL OF THE UNIVER- 
SITY AND COURSES OF 
INSTRUCTION 
GIVEN. 



THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 



The Board of Directors, who are also the legal trustees 
of the University Corporation, are the following : 

His Eminence, James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Balti- 
more, Chancellor of the University. 
The Most Rev. J. J.Williams, D. D., Archbishop of Boston. 

M. A. CoERiGAN, D. D., " New York 

P. J. Ryan, D. D., " Philadelphia. 

John Ireland, D. D., " St. Paul. 

Camillus p. Maes, D. D., Bishop of Covington. 



Right 

John Foley, D. D., 
KiLiAN C. Flasch, D. D., 
J. L. Spalding, D. D., 
M. Marty, D. D., O. S. B., 
John J. Keane, D. D., Rector. 

Very " Mgr. J. M. Farley, New York. 

Rev. p. L. Chapelle, D. D., Washington, D. C. 
" Thomas Lee, Baltimore. 



Detroit. 
La Crosse. 
Peoria. 
Sioux Falls. 



77 



78 



Mr. Eugene Kelly, Treasurer, New Yorh 
" Michael Jenkins, Baltimore. 
" Thos. E. Waggaman, Washington. 



OFFICIALS AND PROFESSORS. 



Rt. Rev. John J. Keane, D. D., Bishop of Ajasso, Rector: directs 
the administration of the University ; lectures on Sacred Elo- 
quence. 

Rev. Philip J. Gaeeigan, D. D., Vioe-Bedor : has charge of the 
business management of the institution. 

Veey Rev. John B. Hogan, S. S., D. D. : directs the ecclesiastical 
discipline of the Divinity College ; lectures three times a week 
on Ascetical Theology. 

Rev. a. Oeban, S. S., Librarian: assistant director of ecclesiastical 
discipline ; conducts private classes of Geology. 

Veey Rev. Monsignoe Joseph Schroedee, D. D,, Professor of 
Dogmatic Theology, Dean of the Faculty: lectures four times a 
week,— during the first few weeks, Introductio in Theologiam, sen 
Commentarius in I. p., q. L, Summae S. Thomae; after Christ- 
mas, De objectivis Fidei principiis, nominatim de Traditione et 
Scriptura. Commentarius in Constit. I. Concilii Vaticani. 

Rev. Thomas Bouquillon, D. D., Professor of Fundamental Moral 
Theology: lectures four times a week, — during the first term, 
Introductio Generalis in Theologiam Moralem; second term, 
De Actibus Humanis. 

Rev. Joseph Pohle, D. D., Professor of Christian Apologetics or 
the Philosophical Foundations of Religion : lectures four times 
a week, — during the first term, De existentia et attributis 
Dei; during the second term, De spiritualitate et immortalitate 
animae. 



79 

Rev. Henry Hyvernat, D. D., Professor of Scriptural Archoeology 
and Oriental Languages : lectures twice a week on Scriptural 
Archaeology ; and twice a week, during the first term, on He- 
brew, during the second term, on Syriac. 

Rev. Joseph Geap, Choir-Master, gives classes and private lessons 
in Liturgical Chant. 

Me. Chaeles "Waeeen Stoddaed, Lecturer on English Literature: 
conducts weekly courses of literary criticism. 

MoNS. Bazerque, holds frequent classes in the French language 
and literature. 

Peofessoe Webstee Edgeely, gives weekly classes in Elocution. 



LECTURERS. 



A notable feature in the contemplated plan are the 
popular discourses known as the Catholic University 
Lectuees. It is intended that in these lectures ques- 
tions of scientific interest or practical importance shall be 
treated by able men, whether of the Faculty or not, learn- 
edly indeed, yet so as to be within the grasp of ordinarily 
intelligent minds. They are to be given on two afternoons 
in every week, usually in English, but occasionally in 
French, Grerman, or other languages. While meant prim- 
arily for the improvement of the students, they are to be 
free to the public, and thus will give to reflective person^ 
of all creeds an opportunity of hearing living and import- 
ant questions ably treated from a Catholic stand-point. 

These were inaugurated, on November 20th, with a series of nine 
lectures by the Yeey Rev. Augustine F. Hewit, D. D., on 
the Catholic Idea of the Church, in Scripture and in Antiquity, 



80 

Eev. p. L. Chapelle, D. D., will lecture on the Typical Person- 
ages of Patristic History, in a series of six or eight discourses. 

Rev. Geoege M. Seaele, C. S. P., will lecture throughout the year 
on Astronomy and Mathematics, 

The Professors will take part in the course, lecturing 
on subjects kindred to their specialties, and other speak- 
ers distinguished in literature and science will carry it 
on throughout the year. Special announcement is to be 
made at the beginning of each month of the lectures to 
be given during it. The following announcements for 
January, 1890, may serve to illustrate the nature of this 
part of the work : 

Wednesday, Jan. 8th, Peofessoe Scheoedee : Der Pessimismus, 

oder die philosophischen Schwarzseher. 
" " 15th, Peofessoe BouQUiLLON: i'on^mec?esc?ro*fe 

de Vhomme. 
" " 22d, Peofessoe Pohle: John Stuart Mill on 

Theism. 
" " 29th, Bishop Keane: Herbert Spencer's "First 

Principles." 
On the Fridays in January, a series of Lectures on Astronomy, by 
Rev. Geoege M. Seaele, as follows : 

Friday, Jan. 10th, Introductory. Apparent motions of the celestial 

sphere and of the principal heavenly bodies. 
" " 17th, Shape, size, and rotation of the earth. 
" " 24th, Distance, dimensions, and physical constitution of 

the sun. 
" " 31st, Light and heat of the sun. 



81 
PROFESSORS ABROAD. 



Provision is made for enlarging the Faculty of Divin- 
ity^ and for laying the foundations of other Faculties, by 
securing the services of men distinguished for their intel- 
lectual acquirements, and, if possible, already noted for 
success in teaching, and allowing them the advantages 
offered by the European Universities before they begin 
their work at home. Four of our future Professors are 
thus engaged at present : 

Rev. Thomas J. Shahan, D. D., of Hartford, Conn., is pursuing 

historical studies in Berlin. % 

Rev. Edwaed A. Pace, D. D., of St. Augustine, Fla., is finishing 

a course of anthropology at Leipzig. 
Rev. Sebastian Messmee, D. D., is perfectiag the study of Canon 

Law in Rome. 
Rev. Chaeles Geannan, D. D., of New York, is in Paris, engaged 

in Scriptural studies. 



THE STUDENTS. 



The studies of the Divinity Faculty being those of a 
strictly University course, presupposing the full College 
and Seminary course of Classics, Philosophy, and Theol- 
ogy, the students are nearly all Priests, some having 
been ordained when leaving their Seminaries for the 
University, others having spent from one to ten years 



82 



in the exercise of the holy ministry. The following is 
the list of the first corps of students : 

Rev. Geoege Glaab Of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

" Wm. a. Fletchek " " " 

" T. E. Gallaghee " 

Me. J. C. FiTZGEEALD " 

Rev. Feancis J. Butlee " 

" J. C. McGOLDEICK " 

" J. B. Labossieee " 

" T. J. Whalen " 

" D. McCaffeey " 

" M. MULVEHILL " 

" D. J. O'Heaen " 

" Wm. C. Kelly " 

" James Fitzsimmons " 

" J. T. HiGGINS " 

" James Caeeoll " 

" M.J. Ceane " 

" J. F. TUOHY " 

" P. J. Danehy " 

J. F. BuscH " 

PeTEE YOEKE " 



li 
a 

Boston. 
(( 

<( 
Chicago. 

a 

Oincinnati. 

Milwaukee. 

New YorJc. 
a 

Philadelphia. 

(I 

(( 

St. Louis. 
St. Paul. 

San Francisco. 



J. J. Deiscoll. Of the Diocese of Albany. 

Brooklyn. 
Buffalo. 



Jos. P. McGlNLEY " 

Me. R. C. O'Connell " 

" J. F. Mooney " 

Rev. W. S. Keess., " 

" Feedeeick Rupeet " 

" j. j. loftus " 

Me. D. Beown ,, , " 

" H. R. McCabe " 

Rev. J. F. Sullivan " 



Cleveland. 
Hartford. 

(C 

Marquette. 
Providence. 



83 



Me. a. L. McNulty Of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. 

Rev. J.C. Ivees " 

J. P. McCaughan " 

W. J. FiTZGEEALD " 

S. M. WiEST.S. p. M " 

John Stanton " " Vincennes. 

L. Besnaed Of the' Society of St. Sulpice. 



Springfield. 
Trenton. 



Mne students of the Congregation of St. Paul the 
Apostle I'eside in St. Thomas's College, adjoining the 
University, and attend several of the courses. 

Places have been secured for two students of the Dio- 
cese of Detroit, not yet entered. 

Some of the neighboring Clergy have declar^ their 
intention to attend various classes. 



VI. 



THE FOUNDERS OF PROFES- 
SORIAL CHAIRS. 



In this official account of the opening of the University, 
it is deemed proper to make mention of those to whose 
generosity the success thus far accomplished is mainly due. 

First among these is Miss Mary Grwendolen Byrd 
Caldwell, whose munificent gift of three hundred thou- 
sand dollars laid the foundation of the whole work. In 
this splendid act, her oft-declared desire was to erect a 
monument of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the grace 
of the Catholic Faith granted to her father and mother. 
Accordingly, she set apart one hundred thousand dollars 
of the amount for the perpetual endowment of two 
Professorial Chairs, to be forever designated by their 
names. 

Her father's name is given to The Shakespeare Cald- 
well Chair of Dogmatic Theology. It is a lasting 
and worthy monument to the noble character and stainless 
life of a true Christian gentleman. Through his mother, 
Shakespeare Caldwell was related to the Carters and 
Byrds of Virginia, thus belonging to the most highly 
respected families of the Old Dominion. In face and 
84 



85 

person he was considered a model of manly beauty, in 
character a pattern of chivalrous honor, while his piety 
and charity as a Christian showed how highly he appre- 
ciated the grace of the Catholic Faith. This may be con- 
sidered a family trait, the generous charity of his sister 
Sophia being shown by the fact that her name is borne by 
the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Richmond. 

Miss Caldwell's mother has for her special monument 
The Elizabeth Breckenridge Caldwell Chair of 
Philosophy. This distinguished lady, daughter of 
James Breckenridge of Louisville, Ky., sprang from a 
family noted among the oldest and best in Kentucky for 
intellectual ability and strength of character. Both of 
these qualities she inherited in a remarkable degree. But 
far beyond all considerations of pedigree she valued the 
priceless gift of the Apostolic Faith, which she believed 
to have been bestowed upon her almost miraculously. In 
no way could her worth be more fittingly commemorated 
than by thus inseparably associating her name with an 
institution in which Divine Faith is forever to be inti- 
mately linked with human learning. 

From both their parents the Misses Caldwell have 
received the double inheritance of an honorably acquired 
fortune and a lovingly cherished faith. They have 
proved themselves worthy of both by the noble part- 
which they have taken in the establishment of the 
University, the younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Brecken- 
ridge Caldwell, having donated the fifty thousand dollars 
which have erected and adorned the beautiful Divinity 
Chapel. 



86 

The first to emulate this example of generosity and 
filial devotedness were the Misses Andrews of Baltimore, 
who, in memory of their venerated father, endowed The 
Andrews Chair of Scriptural ArchtEology. We 
are indebted to the pen of one who knew him well for the 
following account of this remarkable man : 

Sketch of the Life of Dr. Thomas F. Andrews. 

The late Dr. Thomas Francis Andrews was for many 
years an eminent citizen of Yirginia. Indeed the city of 
Norfolk never produced a more gifted and cultivated 
man, although it was the birthplace of distinguished 
lawyers and scholars of that day, as well as the centre of 
a brilliant and charming society. 

The father of Dr. Andrews was English by birth ; his 
mother was a Miss Lynch, from the south of Ireland, a 
near relative of the well-known Lynches of Yirginia and 
Maryland, aunt of Lieutenant Lynch, the Dead Sea 
explorer, who was afterwards Commodore in the Confed- 
erate Navy. They settled in Norfolk, where the subject 
of our sketch was born on the 19th day of March, 1797. 

At an early age he had the misfortune to lose his 
mother, and was himself during childhood frequently 
under the care of physicians. When of an age to choose 
a profession, he selected medicine, which he studied under 
Dr. Fernandez, then practicing in Norfolk. This gentle- 
man was known in his own country by the name of 
Oliveira ; he had been physician to the King of Portugal, 
was exiled for some years through a court intrigue, but 



87 

was afterwards recalled to high honors in his native land. 
The father of young Andrews sent him to Europe to 
pursue his studies in Paris, Berlin, and lastly at the 
University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with dis- 
tinction. He then resided for a time in London, pursuing 
his profession there, but returned home to inherit the 
practice of Dr. Fernandez, upon the recall of the latter to 
the Court of Portugal. From this time onward, for thirty 
years and more, Dr. Andrews lived in Norfolk, honored, 
admired, trusted and beloved by the entire community. 

Failing health, in the full tide of his professional 
supremacy, compelled him to remove from his home ; it 
was found impossible to retire from practice, while c^ell- 
ing in the midst of a people who would not consent to 
relinquish his services. He had acquired a sufficient 
fortune ; and for a series of years he travelled in Europe, 
Egypt, and the Holy Land. Although he never resumed 
practice, he occasionally joined in consultations when 
invited by other physicians both in Europe and this 
country. Upon his return to the United States, he spent 
some time in Washington and Georgetown, afterwards in 
Baltimore, where he died on the 21st of January, 1886. 
He was interred in the family vault in the Catholic Ceme- 
tery of Norfolk ; the faithful companion of his life, one 
son and two daughters surviving him. 

It is in Norfolk, the place of his nativity and marriage, 
and the resting-place of his earthly remains, that the 
fame of Dr. Andrews is proudly and affectionately cher- 
ished as an heirloom. Here was the scene of his triumphs, 
and not merely in the field of science. During the 



88 

administration of General Jackson, who was united to 
him by the ties that such men love to appreciate, Dr. 
Andrews was in the front rank of the Democratic party 
in his District. His profound mastery of political econ- 
omy, and his skill as a financier, qualified him in the 
universal estimation, for high distinction in the public 
service. But he was content to be loved by his own 
people. To them he was always the matchless physician, 
the wise counsellor, the true friend, the delightful com- 
panion and the flashing wit; for this distinguished and 
eminently useful man was unquestionably the most 
brilliant conversationalist of all his cotemporaries. One 
of his life-long friends, the late William Willoughby 
Sharp, of the Norfolk Bar, who was also intimately asso- 
ciated with the renowned debater. Governor Tazewell, 
has left this testimony : "Andrews was the only man I 
ever met who, in a colloquial encounter with Governor 
Tazewell, could withstand his ingenuity and power." 
And that was but one aspect of his genius. 

Above all he was an upright gentleman, unselfish, kind- 
hearted, sympathetic, liberal in his charities, whether in 
the temporary gift or in the long sustained aid of years, 
faithful in every relation to his family, to the extended 
circle of his friends, a.nd to the State which, throughout 
his life, he honored and revered with a patriot's love. 

The Misses Drexel, renowned throughout the country 
and the world for their generous cooperation in the 
Church's works of charity and of zeal, were not slow to 
take part in what the highest ecclesiastical authorities 



89 

have declared to be the most important work that the 
Church has yet undertaken in America. As an evidence 
of their appreciation and sympathy, they hav6 endowed 
a Professorial Chair, which, as a perpetual monument to 
their beloved and honored father, shall be known as The 
Francis A. Drexel Chair of Moral Theology. We 
are happy to give the following biographical notice of 
this model Christian gentleman, written by a friend of 
many years. 

A Sketch or the Life of Francis Anthony Drexel 
as it is known to the world, can be placed in a very nar- 
row frame-work of dates and facts. Born in Philadelphia 
in the year 1824, he was the eldest son of Fra:||cis M. 
Drexel, who had emigrated from the Tyrol in one of the 
early decades of this century ; and I may here mention, 
that the only occasion on which the writer of this record 
witnessed a marked deviation from the ordinary quiet, 
reflective manner of the son was when, at a dinner-table, 
casual mention was made of the Tyrolese patriot, Andrew 
Hofer, the hero of his father's native land. I have heard 
that the motive for the original departure of the Drexel 
family from the Tyrol — a country that thrusts few of her 
children from her bosom — was supplied by their impli- 
cation in the struggle against IN'apoleon for national 
independence, and the maintenance of fidelity to Austria. 
This, h )wever, I have no present means of verifying. 

Francis A. Drexel was associated with his father in the 
early days when the broad foundations of what are now 
known as the Drexel Banks were laid ; and it is in no 
small measure to his quick insight, prompt judgment 



90 

and profound sagacity, acquired and developed in the 
counting-house at that time, that they are indebted for 
their present high and secure position in the financial 
world. Yet, though he spent his youth in the discharge 
of duties generally held to conflict with the acquirement 
of scholarly tastes, Mr. Drexel had, in riper years at 
least, accumulated large stores of scientific knowledge 
gained by close observation, and systematized by undes- 
ultory reading. 

Refined in tastes, pure in morals, simple in manners, 
warm in his friendships, happy in the retired life into 
which so much domestic afi'ection was garnered, there is 
little to be related of his career that would either dazzle 
or fascinate. But were a faithful and minute record of 
the inner life of Francis A. Drexel given, few biographies 
would be more conducive to edification. As was said by 
one of his contemporaries, " To consider him truly was 
not to consider him as a man of business, but as a man 
of charity ; " and I will add of Christian charity, the 
outcome, not of restlessness, unutilized energies, or ambi- 
tion, but of deep religious convictions. 

Mr. Drexel's faith was laid in strong, well-defined 
lines, and its practical influence was made manifest in 
habitual esteem for all things sacred, and in his frequent 
and reverent approach to the Holy Table. It may not 
be amiss to say here, that this man, immersed in enter- 
prises of world-wide extent, found time for daily spiritual 
reading, and for a monthly reception of the Sacraments, 
which was always accompanied by a three days' prepara- 
tion and a three days' thanksgiving. 



91 

This is as much of his history as we are concerned 
with. Many of his benefactions are written in the chron- 
icles of the Religious Communities and Charitable Insti- 
tutions of his country ; but the hundreds who have been 
the beneficiaries of his private, unrecorded charities will 
never be known on earth. 

JNTot on earth, either, will be known the influence 
towards what was best, exercised by the great-souled 
woman, the wife who cooperated with him in all his work 
for the benefit of others, and who was, indeed, until her 
death, two years before his own, largely the administra- 
trix of Ms bounties. What is not possible to the rich man 
whose wife's motto is, " We are God's Almoners'^? 

On the 29th of January, 1883, this wife passed to her 
reward. On February 15th, 1885, Francis A. Drexel 
entered into that Kingdom where he had laid up his 
treasures. 

The venerable Treasurer of the University, Mr. Eugene 
Kelly of New York, to whose wise practical counsels the 
Board of Directors have been, from the very beginning, 
largely indebted for the success of their administration, 
has moreover associated his name forever with the work 
of the University by the endowment of a Chair, to be 
known as The Eugene Kelly Chair of Ecclesiasti- 
cal History. 

His excellent wife, universally honored for all the 
qualities which constitute the true Christian lady, whose 
name tells of her relationship to the great Archbishop of 
New York, has imitated the noble act of her husband, 



92 

and has endowed The Maegaeet Hughes Kelly 
Chaie of Sceiptueal Exegesis. 

Among the men who have most contributed to the 
solid progress of the Pacific Coast, none stands more 
highly respected for public-spirited activity, for irre- 
proachable honor, for Christian character, than the Hon. 
Myles P. O'Connor, of San Jose, California. He has 
shown his appreciation of this crowning work of Chris- 
tian Education by endowing The O'Connoe Chaie of 
Canon Law. 

The Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Ameeica 
has held an honorable position, for nearly twenty years, 
among the organizations which have successfully labored 
for the moral and social elevation of the Catholics of the 
United States. The Centenary of their illustrious Patron 
and Model, the great and good Father Theobald Matthew, 
comes in 1890. As the most worthy monument that they 
could erect to this saintly priest and eminent benefactor 
of mankind, the Union has resolved to endow a Chair in 
the University, to be forever distinguished by the name 
of The Fathee Matthew Chaie. 

The Catholics of the United States have long felt the 
propriety and duty of erecting a suitable monument to 
commemorate the wonderful learning and noble character 
of De. Oeestes Beownson, who, during his long and spot- 
less career, did more than all the other Catholic writers 
of America to make the Church known and honored by 



93 

the people of our country. To reflective minds it was 
obvious that the memorial to such a man should in some 
way be connected with our central seat of Catholic learn- 
ing. Accordingly, the project has been widely discussed 
of either erecting a monument to the great philosopher 
within the University grounds, or endowing a Brownson 
Chair as a still more suitable tribute to his genius. 
Upon either of these projects the authorities of the Uni- 
versity would look with special favor, and it is hoped 
that in some shape this evident duty to a peerless name 
may soon be fulfilled. 

Besides the founders of Professorial Chairs, it is 
deemed a duty of justice, as it is a great pleasure, to 
make special mention of four among the contributors to 
the establishment of the University, whose generosity 
has been the most notable. These are Mr. Patrick 
QuiNN of Philadelphia, who gave $20,000; Mrs. William 
Reynolds, of the same city, who contributed $10,000; the 
family of Mr. Leopold Huifer, of Paris, France, who gave 
$8,000; and Mr. Sylvester Johnson, of Louisville, Ky., 
lately deceased, who, having given $5,000 during his life, 
left $10,000 more to the work in his last will. 



VII. 

NEEDS AND PLANS FOR THE 
IMMEDIATE FUTURE. 



THE LIBRARY. 



One of the first cares of every institution of learning 
is to build up its library. Witli us it is naturally an 
object of special attention and solicitude. A good begin- 
ning has already been made. A special committee, 
under the chairmanship of the Most Rev. Archbishop 
of New York, has^e carefully superintended the purchase 
of five thousand dollars' worth of standard works of 
Divinity. To these the Most Rev. Chairman has added, 
as his personal gift, a splendid collection of the Grreek 
and Latin Patrology. The first donation to the Library 
was a most interesting and valuable compilation of all 
the documents appertaining to the Council of the Vatican, 
bound in twenty-three volumes, presented by the Rev. 
Theodore Metcalf of Boston, who was one of the amanu- 
enses of the Council. The most notable gift is that of 
the Rt. Rev. M. J. O'Farrell, Bishop of Trenton, who 
has presented three thousand volumes, mostly pertain- 
ing to Scripture, Theology, and History. The Rev. Dr. 
94 



95 

Messmer lias donated the Decisiones Rotae Romanae, a 
splendid collection of one hundred and twenty- one folio 
volumes. 

Large sums must be spent for several years to come, 
to make the Library at all equal to the requirements of 
such an institution. And very considerable sums will 
be needed in order to properly locate the Library. The 
present quarters, under the Chapel, are only temporary, 
and are entirely too limited and in many ways unsuit- 
able. A separate fire-proof building must, of course, be 
eventually erected for the University Library. But even 
for the special Library of the Divinity Faculty more 
appropriate quarters must speedily be provided, ^d this 
will depend upon the improvement next to be mentioned. 



THE SOUTH WING. 



Every portion of the present Divinity Building is 
already in use. There are rooms for only three more 
students ; whereas there ought to be accommodations for 
the larger numbers of students who are sure to come 
from all parts of the country, and for the lodging of 
Clergymen who may at any time come to spend even, a 
few days or a few weeks in the atmosphere of such a 
home of sacred learning. To supply this need, provision 
has been made in the plan of the building for the con- 
struction of an extensive south wing. On the lower 
floor, besides the Divinity Library and Reading- Room, 



96 

the necessity of which has been mentioned above, there 
would be the Museum of Scriptural Archaeology, which 
has now very limited temporary quarters in a class-room. 
The space thus occupied at present might then be given 
up to the collections of geology and anthropology, of 
which a beginning has already been made by friends of 
the University, and especially by Mr. Joseph Willcox of 
Philadelphia and Dr. Ouchterlony of Louisville, Ky. 
These will be gradually increased, while we await the 
structures to be called for in the future by the depart- 
ments of science. 

The stories above the Library and Museum would 
furnish all the additional accommodations for professors 
and students which the Faculty of Divinity would be apt 
to require. Nay it has been suggested that they might 
temporarily be occupied by the first lay students of the 
University, to provide for whom is the object which the 
Directors now have the nearest at heart. 



THE NEXT FACULTY. 



"When shall the Coueses be opened for Lay Students ? 

From the preceding report it is manifest that the 
Catholic University of America has started on its career 
with the most important of all its Faculties solidly estab- 
lished. Within two years, the Divinity course will be 
thoroughly organized, — the essential foundation of any 



97 

complete system of university education which aims at 
being Christian. 

It is a great work accomplished in a short time. But 
the work cannot halt there, even for a while. The erection 
of the superstructure must be pushed on steadily. 

It is a matter of deep thankfulness to Divine Provi- 
dence that the means of university training for the Clergy 
should at last have been provided, fulfilling the wishes 
and prayers of those who laid in our country the founda- 
tions of the Church's prosperity. But we should be 
untrue to them and to the great interests in our hands, 
did we not hasten to give the work the extension which 
the welfare of Church and country imperatively c^mands, 
by placing its advantages within the reach of the laity as 
well. To do this as speedily as possible is the ardent 
desire of the authorities of the University, and of the 
Bishops of the United States, whom they represent. The 
responsibility of its being accomplished must lie with 
those in whose hands Providence has placed the pecuni- 
ary means by which alone it can be done. To these 
agents, therefore, of Divine Providence, — to those to 
whom Grod and the Church must look for the carrying 
on of this all-important work, — these closing lines are 
addressed. 

Catholic educators in all parts of the country clearly 
recognize the need of a central seat of higher or post- 
graduate instruction. The young man who, at the age 
of 19 or 20, has taken his degree of A. B., and who is 
not in a hurry to throw away his books and enter the 
race for pelf, needs to pass to other surroundings, to an 



98 

intellectual atmosphere different from that of his youth- 
ful college life, where, upon a higher level, he may feel 
that all things conspire to make of him a cultured man, 
a serious scholar. Some such youths our colleges are 
already producing ; and the very presence of such an 
intellectual goal before them would increase the number 
immeasurably. It is the services of just such men that 
Church and country will sorely need in the very near 
future, and to provide means for their right development 
is the most imperative duty now weighing upon us. 

The sort of training which such men require is mostly 
given in what is known as the Faculty of Philosophy and 
Letters. This comprises the extensive field of deep but 
not exactly professional studies, logical, metaphysical, 
literary, historical, social, and scientific, which alone can 
make a man a true scholar, a safe thinker, a useful 
writer, no matter what his profession or avocation may be. 

We desire to begin, at the earliest possible day, the 
organization of such a Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. 
Already we see much of the way before us. What is 
needed is money. To make the University a success, we 
must establish this next Faculty, as we have established 
the preceding one, without debt on the buildings, and 
with the Professorial Chairs endowed. 'No one who 
reflects for a moment will need to be informed that even 
to begin this in proper shape will demand several hun- 
dred thousand dollars. 

The friends of Christian Education are very many, 
thank Grod, and are constantly becoming more numerous. 
The moral and religious needs and dangers of our times 



99 

are beginning to appeal even to the most callous, and to 
force all right-minded people into our ranks. In the 
hands of those already awake to the importance of the 
cause, Divine Providence has placed abundant means to 
do all that need be done. The only question is, will 
their convictions rouse them to action ? And will their 
action be characterized by generosity like to that of the 
many friends of learning throughout our country who 
have consecrated millions upon millions to University 
Education, even without Christianity in it ? Surely our 
aim, that of infusing the fullest Christianity into the 
highest education, is a nobler one than they had before 
them, and ought to impel to nobler doing. It i^ to this 
that the voice of the Bishops and of the Vicar of Christ 
calls the friends of Christian Education. According to 
their response shall be our speed in meeting the great 
need before us. We desire and hope to be ready for lay 
students in two years. Will those who can if they will, 
step forward and say it shall be done ? 



FORM OF BEQUEST. 



" I give and bequeath unto ' The Catholic University 
of America,' a corporation duly incorporated under the 
laws of the District of Columbia, the sum of — — — ." 






XI 






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